Chiefs Add Ex-Packers WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling on a 3-Year Deal

Marquez Valdes-Scantling with the Green Bay Packers in 2020
Marquez Valdes-Scantling with the Green Bay Packers in 2020. Photo by John Fisher/CSM/Shutterstock (11017378av)

The Kansas City Chiefs aren’t wasting time rebuilding their receiving corps after sending Pro Bowl wideout Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins. The team got active on the free-agent market right away and secured the services of wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling.

Valdes-Scantling, who spent the first four years of his career with the Green Bay Packers, inked a three-year deal. He will reportedly earn a $30 million deal and has the opportunity to earn an additional $6 million based on incentives.

Valdes-Scantling was considered one of the best wideout options left on the market. The Packers reportedly made an effort to keep him in Green Bay but were only willing to commit to a one-year offer. Unfortunately, this wasn’t enough to convince the 27-year-old player to remain with the franchise, as several franchises came in with multi-year proposals. The New Orleans Saints were considered favorites at one point and would have probably signed Valdes-Scantling if the Chiefs didn’t step in at the last moment and made a better offer.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling entered the NFL as the Packers’ fifth-round pick in 2018. His career stats include 123 receptions, 2,153 receiving yards, and 13 touchdowns. Valdes-Scantling had his best season as a pro in 2020 when he made 33 catches for 690 yards and six touchdowns.

While these are not eye-catching numbers, the teams were intrigued by his speed and ability to make big plays. Since entering the league, Valdes-Scantling has been averaging an impressive 17.5 yards per catch. This is the fourth-highest number in the NFL in the same period.

“I could cry real tears right now. I got cut from my high school team as a freshman to signing a second contract in the NFL,” Valdes-Scantling wrote on Twitter after the move was official. “Never let any person place a limitation on who you can be. THANK YOU GOD!!!”