Ex-Seahawk Valdes-Scantling Heads to Division Rival after being Cut.
Marquez Reshard Valdes-Scantling is one of those players who has a great story that rarely gets told because he isn’t a superstar. But it’s an amazing story that seems to be coming to an end soon. In 2024, he played for two different teams at 30, and now in 2025, he’s already been on two different teams.
Valdes-Scantling cut from Seattle!
After his stint on the Saints, he signed with the Seattle Seahawks for a year and $5.5 million as the Seahawks completely rebuilt their offense. Reuniting with Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak, but the reunion wasn’t going as well as either wanted. As with the Seahawks’ surging rookie receiver, Valdes-Scantling had a streak of not getting a single catch in the preseason. There were even rumors that Valdes-Scantling would be traded to the Steelers to reunite with Aaron Rodgers. But instead, on August 26th, he was cut from the Seahawks roster.
Upcoming Tenure with San Francisco 49ers
In a very recent piece of news, it turns out the former two-time Super Bowl champion has signed with the NFC West division and hated rival 49ers. This was after roster cuts left the 49ers with five active receivers after Demarcus Robinson’s suspension. Making Valdes-Scantling’s role on the team his replacement, as for what will happen to him after Robinson returns and Brandon Aiyuk returns from PUP, that remains to be seen. They may sign more receivers. They should be with the lack of depth at the WR slot. But hopefully Valdes-Scantling has enough production to justify a spot on the roster.
Valdes-Scantling’s Incredible Story
Coming out of college, most wouldn’t have picked him for a draft pick, let alone for a long pro career. At both NC State and USF, he had significant playing time but never cracked over 1,000 receiving yards. Although he did break the then-USF receiving yards in a season record with 879 yards in 2017, that wouldn’t be enough to get him drafted. Until his 40-time shocked the league. With a blazing fast time of 4.37 seconds, this, along with his 6’4″ frame, turned him from unwanted to a tantalizing late-round pick with tons of upside.
Valdes-Scantling Has Crossed Paths with All-Time Greats
In 2018, in the fifth round, the Packers drafted Valdes-Scantling, and off the bat, he outplayed his fifth-round draft status. While most fifth-round picks are hanging on to roster spots, working their butts off to make sure they stay on the roster next year. Valdes-Scantling, however, was putting up 500 yards on 38 receptions, though. In 2020, he even led the league in average yards per catch with 20.9, something that would be enough to catch the eye of the NFL’s hottest franchise, the Chiefs. Going from having Aaron Rodgers throwing to him to Patrick Mahomes.
There, he helped the Chiefs win two straight Super Bowls as a secondary receiver, even having his second-best season in 2022. He did get well-deserved flak along with other Chiefs receivers for his constant drops, a weakness of his. One he often made up for when he used his speed to make small plays into big plays. Like when he scored a touchdown in the Super Bowl to help the Chiefs beat the 49ers 25-22.
Valdes-Scantling is an incredible teammate and person!
Nothing anyone can take away from him is his incredible character, which is backed by his teammates and, of course, his actions. Aaron Rodgers has praised him, calling him an incredible teammate, considering how often he trashes teammates and how easily he could’ve trashed him. Says a lot of great things about him. Plus, his kindness was shown to the victims of the tragedy at the Kansas City Super Bowl parade. He offered support and wanted to reach out to families affected by the tragedy. So, despite what you may say about him, he’s a great guy who’s played with Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, and Josh Allen. So he’s done more than most. Thanks a bunch for reading!
