Kansas City Chiefs on the verge of losing another top transfer target as the super prolific player has made public his intensions to sign a monumental deal with….
The NFL trade deadline in 2023 is quickly coming, and in the days before it, rumors about possible trades will only intensify. Despite having one of the strongest rosters in the league, the Kansas City Chiefs have faced a lot of criticism lately at one particular position.
The Kansas City wide receiver group has not impressed much through six games of the season. In addition to having trouble staying healthy, several players are also playing erratic football and are still getting used to quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ offense. As a result, a lot of supporters are beating down the door to force an outside acquisition, despite head coach Andy Reid’s previous statement that he didn’t think it was essential.
A common speculative trade target in Chiefs circles is wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown of the Arizona Cardinals. After being acquired by the team in April 2022 as part of a trade that included a first-round draft pick, Brown has caught 96 catches for 1,043 yards and six touchdowns in 18 games (16 starts) while playing for the team. Even though he will be a free agency after this season and has a $13.4 million cap charge going into the season, the former Oklahoma great is still only 26 years old and poses a serious threat in his fifth season in the league.
Though nothing is official just yet, there have been rumors that Brown would be traded, and the Chiefs have not reportedly expressed any interest in moving him. That being stated, is it sensible for Kansas City to give Arizona a call on their young pass catcher? Donnie Druin of All Cardinals was gracious enough to join me and address some pertinent questions in order to break everything down.
Despite his circumstances, Brown continues to produce his typical level of work. Is there still unrealized potential?
DD: Do you recall that meme of the Bugatti parked beneath a trailer park roof? Brown is essentially in Arizona right now. Is he among the league’s best receivers? Not at all, despite the fact that he is a gifted receiver when given the chance and continues to demonstrate his value despite the poor performance of the Cardinals right now. It’s difficult to see him failing in a novel circumstance.
To what extent is Brown the subject of the present trade talk?
DD: There’s a solid reason why the buzz is so loud. Although I haven’t heard anything about the Cardinals pursuing him directly, general manager Monti Ossenfort has made it clear that he will cut ties with anyone who doesn’t align with their long-term goals. The hype makes sense, since Arizona just underwent a rebuilding this offseason, Michael Wilson is playing well as a rookie, and Brown will reach free agency in 2024.
In the event of a transaction, what would Arizona reasonably seek in return?
DD: You should aim high and bargain low, right? Brown cost the Cardinals a first-round pick, but they need to be realistic about what they might be able to recoup. Since Brown still hasn’t fully recovered from his injuries, any team that traded for him would have to pay him. The Cardinals, in my opinion, would want a second-round pick but would probably have to settle for a third-round pick instead, possibly with a late-round trade included.
Describe the implications of a team obtaining Brown for the salary cap.
DD: The main effect is that, should this season end, Brown will become a free agent, thus you will need to pay a premium to retain him in the future. If I were in Brown’s corner, I would use the four-year, $72 million deal for Christian Kirk as a guide for what Brown might likely receive when the wage ceiling rises. For the money, Brown can easily outproduce Kirk, so that’s not too bad.
Do you think Arizona and Brown would be better off partnered with Kansas City?
DD: It nearly seems like Kansas City is the right place. While Brown finds a team that would probably be willing to pay for him, the Chiefs need a quality receiver, the Cardinals want to give their guy some decent draft capital, and who wouldn’t want to catch passes from Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl each season? It appears to be beneficial to both parties.
