Early offseason breadcrumbs hint at free agent weapon eyeing Ravens comeback

The Baltimore Ravens should be one of the more intriguing teams to watch this offseason. While they usually take a more subtle approach, with a heavy focus on the NFL Draft, there’s reason to believe that there could be some sort of shift in that approach after hiring Jesse Minter.

After significantly regressing in 2025, the Ravens will be looking to reestablish themselves as one of the top teams in the NFL, too. That could require a more aggressive offseason. They should turn over every stone to strengthen their roster, even if it means dusting off old stones and welcoming back former players.

It seems like there could be a reunion in store, as there appears to be interest from at least one side. That interest comes from Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, who is a pending free agent.

It all started when quarterback Lamar Jackson commented on one of Brown’s Instagram stories on Valentine’s Day, joking he wants the 28-year-old back in Baltimore.

Two days later, Brown made another post to his Instagram story, this one being a clip from his time with the Ravens.

A potential comeback to Charm City would be a true Hollywood script.

Marquise Brown appears interested in Ravens’ reunion this offseason

Brown was drafted by the Ravens in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He had a fine career in Baltimore, spending three seasons with the team and breaking out with 91 receptions for 1,008 yards and six touchdowns in 2021. Ultimately, though, he became frustrated with the team, and they traded him to the Arizona Cardinals on the night of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Since being traded, Brown hasn’t reached the heights that he reached in Baltimore. In four years since his departure, he hasn’t totaled over 67 receptions or 709 yards in a single season. In 2025, he was a decent rotational option with the Chiefs, finishing with 49 receptions for 587 yards and five touchdowns in 16 games.

The question is: would the Ravens want him back? Of course, Lamar Jackson would be excited to see one of his best friends back in the purple and black, but it’ll come down to the decision of general manager Eric DeCosta. It takes two to tango.

The Ravens do need some wide receiver help, and Brown would provide some reliable depth. That relationship between him and Jackson would likely make for an easy transition, too. However, Brown is not necessarily the type of wideout that Baltimore should be after.

Two-time Pro Bowler Zay Flowers is already that 5-foot-9, shifty wide receiver, Rashod Bateman, despite the offseason drama, presents himself as the main deep threat for now, and big-play weapon Devontez Walker seems to be primed for a breakout in 2026. Sure, there’s a need for depth, but the team already has those speed threats.

They need a bigger-bodied, physical receiver, which Brown is the exact opposite of. Perhaps a move for a player like Philadelphia Eagles wideout A.J. Brown, who the Ravens have been linked to in mock trades, would make way more sense.

Ultimately, Marquise Brown wouldn’t cost a ton in free agency. Spotrac projects him to sign a one-year contract worth $5.5 million this offseason, but that’s money the Ravens would like to spend elsewhere. A reunion would be cool, but it’s not really what the team needs with all the pressing needs they have.