Hollywood Brown and Isiah Pacheco Lost by the Kansas City Chiefs

In a offseason that has reshaped the Kansas City Chiefs’ roster, two key offensive contributors have departed: wide receiver Hollywood Brown and running back Isiah Pacheco. Brown, who joined the Chiefs in 2025 as a free agent, signed a three-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars, while Pacheco—drafted by the Chiefs in 2022 and a staple of their running game—left for the Miami Dolphins on a four-year contract. The losses come as the Chiefs navigate a salary cap crunch, having recently finalized a long-term extension with defensive tackle Chris Jones, and force the team to rebuild critical depth on offense. For a franchise accustomed to competing for Super Bowls, losing Brown’s speed and Pacheco’s consistency creates immediate holes that will need to be filled quickly. Hollywood Brown and Isiah Pacheco Lost by the Kansas City Chiefs explores the circumstances of their departures, their impacts on the Chiefs’ offense, the financial realities driving the moves, the team’s plan to replace them, and the implications for Patrick Mahomes and the offense in 2027.

Hollywood Brown and Isiah Pacheco Lost by the Kansas City Chiefs opens with the details of each player’s departure and the factors that led them to leave Kansas City. Brown, who recorded 72 catches for 890 yards and six touchdowns in his lone season with the Chiefs, cited the Jaguars’ offer of a more prominent role as a No. 1 wide receiver as a key reason for his move. In Kansas City, Brown often played third fiddle behind Rashee Rice and tight end Travis Kelce, limiting his touches and opportunities to showcase his deep-threat ability. “I loved my time in Kansas City, but I wanted a chance to be the guy,” Brown said in his introductory press conference with the Jaguars. “Jacksonville gave me that opportunity, and I’m ready to prove what I can do as a top target.” Pacheco’s departure, meanwhile, was more financially motivated: the Dolphins offered him a deal worth \(40 million with \)25 million guaranteed, far more than the Chiefs were willing to pay after allocating significant cap space to Jones. Pacheco, who rushed for 1,120 yards and eight touchdowns in 2026, had become the Chiefs’ lead back, but the team’s salary cap constraints left them unable to match Miami’s offer. “It was a tough decision,” Pacheco admitted. “Kansas City gave me my start, but the Dolphins’ offer was something I couldn’t turn down for my family.”

Hollywood Brown and Isiah Pacheco Lost by the Kansas City Chiefs delves into the specific ways each player contributed to the Chiefs’ offense and why their losses sting. Brown brought a unique element of speed that the Chiefs’ offense had lacked in recent years: his 4.34 40-yard dash speed allowed him to stretch defenses vertically, creating space for Rice and Kelce in the intermediate areas. In 2026, Brown led the Chiefs in receptions of 20+ yards (18) and was Mahomes’ go-to target on deep passes, converting 12 of those into touchdowns or first downs. Pacheco, meanwhile, was the epitome of consistency: he averaged 4.8 yards per carry over the past two seasons, excelled in short-yardage situations (converting 82% of third-and-1 attempts), and was a reliable pass protector—critical for keeping Mahomes upright. His ability to handle 20+ carries per game also took pressure off the passing offense, allowing the Chiefs to control the clock and keep defenses off-balance. “Losing both of them is a double blow,” said Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. “Hollywood opened up our passing game, and Pacheco was the backbone of our running attack. Replacing that combination won’t be easy—we’re losing speed, reliability, and production all at once.”

Hollywood Brown and Isiah Pacheco Lost by the Kansas City Chiefs covers the salary cap realities that forced the Chiefs to let Brown and Pacheco go—context that explains the franchise’s difficult decisions. After signing Jones to a four-year, \(112 million extension, the Chiefs were left with less than \)15 million in cap space for 2027, making it impossible to retain both Brown and Pacheco while also addressing other needs (like offensive line depth and backup quarterback). Brown had requested a contract extension worth \(18 million per year, while Pacheco’s asking price was around \)10 million annually—figures that would have pushed the Chiefs over the salary cap. General manager Brett Veach acknowledged the challenge, stating, “We wish we could have kept both players. They were integral to our success, but we have to make decisions that keep our team competitive long-term. Signing Chris Jones was a priority to protect our defense, and that meant making tough choices on offense.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, the departures highlight the harsh realities of NFL roster management: even successful teams must choose between key players when salary cap space is limited, and the Chiefs opted to prioritize their defense over offensive depth.

Another layer of Hollywood Brown and Isiah Pacheco Lost by the Kansas City Chiefs is the team’s immediate plan to replace Brown and Pacheco, which includes a mix of free agency signings and draft picks. To fill Brown’s role as a deep threat, the Chiefs signed veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to a one-year, $10 million deal. Hopkins, a five-time Pro Bowler, has lost some of his elite speed but still brings route-running precision and the ability to win contested catches—qualities that could complement Rice and Kelce. For Pacheco’s replacement, the Chiefs turned to the draft, selecting running back Elijah Mitchell from Louisiana State University in the second round. Mitchell, who rushed for 1,350 yards and 15 touchdowns in his senior season, is a physical runner with good vision and pass-blocking skills—traits the Chiefs hope will allow him to step into the lead back role. The Chiefs also re-signed backup running back Jerick McKinnon to a two-year deal to provide depth. “We feel good about the pieces we’ve added,” said head coach Andy Reid. “DeAndre brings experience and playmaking ability, and Elijah has the potential to be a special player. It will take time for them to adjust, but we’re confident they can contribute.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, these moves are a bet on proven veterans and young talent to mitigate the losses of Brown and Pacheco—but only time will tell if they can match the production of the departed players.

Hollywood Brown and Isiah Pacheco Lost by the Kansas City Chiefs explores how the losses will impact Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offensive strategy in 2027. Without Brown’s speed, the Chiefs may rely more on short, quick passes to Rice and Kelce, using Hopkins as a possession receiver rather than a deep threat. This could make the offense more predictable, forcing Mahomes to rely on his improvisational skills to create big plays. On the ground, Mitchell will need to quickly establish chemistry with the offensive line, which lost two starters in free agency, to keep the running game effective. The Chiefs may also shift to a more committee-based running attack, using Mitchell, McKinnon, and possibly fullback Michael Burton to share carries—a departure from the Pacheco-led approach of recent years. “Patrick is one of the best quarterbacks in the league, and he’ll adapt,” Bieniemy said. “But we have to give him the tools to succeed. Our job as coaches is to design an offense that plays to the strengths of our new players, and that’s what we’re working on.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, the offense’s success in 2027 will depend heavily on Mahomes’ ability to elevate his new teammates—a challenge he’s faced before, but one that will be tougher without the speed of Brown and the reliability of Pacheco.

Hollywood Brown and Isiah Pacheco Lost by the Kansas City Chiefs closes with a look at the long-term implications of these departures for the Chiefs’ dynasty aspirations. For years, the Chiefs have relied on a balanced offense and a dominant defense to stay atop the AFC, but the loss of two key offensive players—combined with cap constraints—could signal a shift toward a more defense-focused team. While the Chiefs still have Mahomes and Kelce as franchise cornerstones, the departures of Brown and Pacheco leave them with less margin for error on offense. If Hopkins and Mitchell fail to perform, the Chiefs may struggle to keep up with high-powered offenses like the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens. However, the team’s ability to adapt to roster changes has been a hallmark of their success under Reid and Mahomes, and there’s reason to believe they can overcome these losses. “We’ve been through transitions before,” Reid said. “This is just another challenge, and we’re going to attack it head-on.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, the loss of Hollywood Brown and Isiah Pacheco is a significant setback—but it’s also an opportunity to prove that their success isn’t dependent on any single player, but on the culture of winning they’ve built. Only time will tell if they can rise to the occasion.