Dang: Free Agent WR Márquez Valdes-Scantling is Reportedly Signing with the Chiefs
The fallout from the Tyreek Hill deal is here.
Sure, it began yesterday with the Chiefs recouping draft capital and clearing Hill’s contract off the books. But with a position to fill on the roster and money to spend, Kansas City was quick to start re-shuffling the deck for quarterback Patrick Mahomes. First up, it is Marquez Valdes-Scantling, a receiver going to the Chiefs on a three-year deal where he’ll join Travis Kelce, Mecole Hardman, and a host of others running routes and catching passes.
NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero has the details on MVS going to KC:
The #Chiefs are signing former #Packers WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling to a three-year, $30 million deal with $18 million in the first two years and incentives to reach a maximum of $36 million, his agents @NSAFootball tell @RapSheet and me. 💰💰
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 24, 2022
Well, this is an interesting pairing. While the early reports of the Chiefs trade of Tyreek Hill were coming out, there were hints that Valdes-Scantling could be the target as a replacement to fill the void left behind. This isn’t to say MVS is leaving GB for K.C. and becoming Hill upon arrival. But Valdes-Scantling’s skill set — speed, separation, and the occasional splash play — fits well with what the Chiefs do. Hey, maybe there will be an insurance commercial featuring Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers in which the quarterbacks share scouting reports about a pass-catcher both will have familiarity with when football season breaks. You know where to send the checks, and not to Drake from State Farm either.
As for the Bears-related ramifications, seeing MVS go elsewhere in free agency knocks another plausible target off the board. There was a time when it was looking like Valdes-Scantling would’ve been an ideal fit for the Bears. He didn’t figure to be a budget-buster. And that vertical speed game could’ve been something Justin Fields could utilize. Throw in familiarity with Luke Getsy’s offense, and it was easy to make a connection. But the Chiefs thought enough of MVS and his game to pony up up to $36 million over three years. And the Bears might not have felt similarly. Plus, at that price tag, maybe Chicago is better off dispersing its funds and finding receiver help in a different way. Which is precisely what they’ll do with Valdes-Scantling off to Kansas City.
