'Hollywood' Brown says he requested trade from Ravens due to poor fit

Although many football fans were surprised after the Baltimore Ravens traded Marquise "Hollywood" Brown on draft day Thursday, the deal wasn't a shock to the wideout.

Brown told the "I Am Athlete" podcast Friday that he requested a trade from the Ravens after the 2021 season. The receiver, who's entering his fourth year in the league, said the decision was based on his fit in Baltimore's offense.

"As a receiver, even at college, I didn't catch as many balls, but ... I was put in situations that could help me thrive," he said. "I just felt, in times throughout my career (with the Ravens), I wasn't put in the best situations."

Brown made clear that his trade request had nothing to do with his relationship with Lamar Jackson. He also added that he's been unhappy with his role in Baltimore for years.

"It was just about my happiness. I talked to Lamar about it after my second year," Brown said. "Then ... leading up to the end of (last season) ... (I) let him know again that I couldn't do it.

"It's not really on Lamar. I love Lamar. It's just that the system wasn't for me, personally."

The Ravens traded Brown and their third-round pick (No. 100 overall) to the Cardinals for Arizona's 23rd overall selection.

Brown, 24, is coming off his first career 1,000-yard season. He was drafted 25th overall in 2019 by Baltimore.

The pass-catcher is set to team up with Kyler Murray, whom he played with at Oklahoma. Brown caught 75 passes for 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns from Murray during their lone season together in 2018.