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.