Even though Lamar Jackson seemed shocked the Ravens traded Marquise "Hollywood" Brown, the receiver says it's all cap -- claiming the QB knew about it.
The Ravens made the swap with the Cardinals during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday night ... exchanging the 24-year-old wideout and a 3rd-rounder for the 23rd overall pick.
The deal came off as a surprise for NFL fans and players -- including Jackson, who wrote in a tweet, "Wtf."
He also retweeted a fan's comment that said, "WHAT THE F***ING F*** BRO! WE TRADED AWAY HOLLYWOOD 💔💔💔💔💔"
But, Brown says the former NFL MVP knew he wanted out ... saying on the "I Am Athlete Tonight" SiriusXM radio show that he talked to Jackson several times about leaving the Ravens.
"Nah, he wasn't surprised," Brown said. "I talked to Lamar about it after my second year. Then, after my third year leading up to the end of the season, you know, he wasn't playing. I let him know again like, 'Yeah bro, I can't do it.'"
Brown insists his request to leave Baltimore had nothing to do with Jackson, but more about the Ravens' offense in general.
"I love Lamar," Brown said, "The system wasn't for me, personally. I love all my teammates. I love the guys, but it was something I had to think about for myself."
The relationship between Brown and the Ravens ended on good terms, according to the receiver ... who said, "We both handled it the right way."
"I didn't go out and make anything public. I just kept it in house, kept working and it all worked out."
Brown was the first receiver selected in the 2019 NFL Draft and caught 2,361 yards and 21 touchdowns during his three seasons with the Ravens.
Now, he will reunite with his former Oklahoma QB, Kyler Murray, in Arizona.
"Let's run it back!" Murray said after the trade. "Hollywood to the desert … Y'all welcome my boy!"
Sorry, Lamar.