The Buffalo Bills made a bold move to bolster their offense this week, trading for five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Amari Cooper from the Cleveland Browns.
While the addition of Cooper adds firepower, it also resulted in the release of wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, whose production has struggled to take off in Buffalo.
Bills move on from Valdes-Scantling
Signed in the offseason with hopes of expanding the Bills’ passing attack, Valdes-Scantling saw minimal involvement during his time with the team.
In six games, he caught just two passes on nine targets for a total of 26 yards.
With no contributions on special teams, the 29-year-old found himself on the chopping block to make room for Cooper’s arrival.
Despite his underwhelming stint with Buffalo, Valdes-Scantling remains an experienced receiver, having played for the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs over the past six seasons.
With 188 career receptions for 3,181 yards and 16 touchdowns, the former fifth-round pick is a proven deep-threat and a player who could be an appealing option for teams in need of wide receiver depth.
Could veteran WR reunite with Rodgers or Mahomes?
Valdes-Scantling’s NFL journey could take him back to familiar territory, as two potential destinations stand out based on his history with past quarterbacks.
The Kansas City Chiefs might be a natural landing spot, where Valdes-Scantling already has a strong rapport with quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Having played for the Chiefs in 2022 and 2023, Valdes-Scantling enjoyed significant success, including a Super Bowl ring during each of his seasons with the team.
With current injuries to key wide receivers Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown, the Chiefs could benefit from reuniting Mahomes with a familiar target to help maintain offensive rhythm.
Another intriguing long-shot option would be the New York Jets.
The Jets recently reunited quarterback Aaron Rodgers with his former teammate Davante Adams, and a reunion with Valdes-Scantling isn’t out of the question.
Having spent four seasons together in Green Bay, Valdes-Scantling and Rodgers already share a connection, which could offer the Jets a reliable option for stretching the field.
Other teams, such as the Las Vegas Raiders or the Pittsburgh Steelers, could also have interest in Valdes-Scantling’s services.
With the Raiders recently losing Davante Adams to the Jets, they could look to Valdes-Scantling to provide some stability to their receiver corps.
Meanwhile, the Steelers have been in the market for a veteran wide receiver, and Valdes-Scantling could be a more accessible target compared to other big-name options.
Though his release from the Bills may seem like a setback, Valdes-Scantling’s experience and ability to make big plays still hold appeal for teams in need of depth and a deep-threat option.
