Free agency decisions can come down to money and being familiar with a team a lot of the time. For wide receiver Marquise Hollywood Brown, his choice to join the Philadelphia Eagles over a potential reunion with the Baltimore Ravens was for a different reason, a somewhat shocking decision nowadays.
Brown entered free agency as one of the more interesting wide receivers available, as he’s shown that he can be really good but injuries have slowed that down.
Having previously spent time in Baltimore, the idea of returning to a familiar city made sense. The Ravens know his skill set, and he already knows Lamar Jackson. Still, familiarity wasn’t enough to bring him back, and Baltimore’s coaching changes could’ve been part of the reason why.
Instead, Brown took a different approach during this experience with free agency. Rather than getting caught up, he leaned on the people around him. That allowed him to focus on which team made the most sense, and Philadelphia ultimately separated itself in that regard.
The Eagles are a contender with a decent offense, and for a player like Brown, the chance to step into that should be something he’s interested in. With an established quarterback, a new scheme, and a roster built to win, coming to Philly can get guys paid.
When explaining his decision, Brown said that while Baltimore was a real option, the deciding factors were between him and god.
“I was really considering going back to Baltimore,” Brown said. “This is my second time in free agency, so I kind of don't want the small talk. I let him (Brown's agent) deal with it. When it got down to who really wanted me, who he really thinks is showing interest, I want to talk and get involved, but other than that, I just leave it up to God, and this is where he led me. I'm blessed and happy to be here.”
Brown saw a team that genuinely wanted him and a situation that fit with his goals. In the end, that made him end up in Philadelphia.
If this goes as planned, this could be a very under-the-radar signing in Philadelphia.