The Kansas City Chiefs are already gearing up for another championship push in 2025, and two familiar faces – one returning and one re-signing – are determined to play a bigger role in the journey.
Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce will be happy to know that running back Kareem Hunt and wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown are both locked in for next season, and each brings unfinished business to the table.
After a brief stint on the open market, Hunt agreed to return to the team that originally drafted him in 2017.
Though his early career in Kansas City was marked by explosive performances, Hunt missed all three of the franchise’s recent Super Bowl victories due to his time with the Cleveland Browns. Now back in red and gold, Hunt is clear about what’s motivating his comeback.
“I just wanna focus on finishing the job,” Hunt said, via ArrowheadPride.com, “finding a way to win that last game.”
Hunt‘s return bolsters a backfield that has seen a mix of talent and depth in recent years. Though Isiah Pacheco emerged as the lead back during the Chiefs’ most recent Super Bowl run, Hunt brings experience, versatility, and a chip on his shoulder.
“The culture is just great,” Hunt added. “It didn’t end the way we wanted it to. But we’ve got a lot of work to do – and I feel like we’ve got another good shot at it.”
Brown ready to rewrite his Chiefs story
Wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown also returns to the Chiefs in 2025 with redemption on his mind. Signed in 2024 with the expectation of providing a spark to Kansas City’s receiving corps, Brown’s debut season was largely derailed by a preseason injury.
He appeared in just two regular-season games and had limited impact during the playoffs. Still, the team saw enough promise to bring him back before free agency began.
“I knew all along I wanted to be back,” Brown told ESPN. “They voiced their opinions, wanting me back … I know I had a great start to my camp [before] getting hurt. We all wanted to see it come together. So glad we got it done.
“They know the type of guy I am, the type of work I put in and essentially that’s one of the reasons I got brought back is because a few games I played, I was able to open things up for the offense a lot.”
At 27, Brown still has plenty of speed and upside. He proved that during his time with the Baltimore Ravens, posting over 1,000 yards in the 2021 season.
In a Chiefs offense led by Patrick Mahomes, staying healthy could be the key to finally unlocking the potential that Kansas City saw in him from the beginning.
