The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t make a trade at this year’s deadline. But that doesn’t mean they failed to make any offensive additions. The Steelers have had a link to Marquez Valdes-Scantling since last week, but nothing came to fruition until this week. They finally signed him and added him to the practice squad on Tuesday.
He’s got some work to do to ascend the depth chart. However, Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo thinks he’s a name fans should keep an eye on. And he thinks Valdes-Scantling’s experience with Aaron Rodgers is a big reason for that.
“If there’s one practice squad guy who’s a little bit intriguing, to me, MVS is it,” Fittipaldo said Tuesday on 93.7 The Fan. “He has that history with Aaron Rodgers. And he’s clearly past his prime. You know, he’s 31 years old. Aaron says he still has something left, but obviously, he’s not valued as much as he once was around the league. I’m intrigued by the chemistry. Sometimes that chemistry between a receiver and a quarterback can make that receiver a little bit better than he really is. I think it could work out in the end.”
Rodgers and Valdes-Scantling have spent some successful time together. The latter caught passes from Rodgers in Green Bay from 2018 to 2021, and had 2,153 yards and 13 touchdowns on an impressive 17.5 yards per catch.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling is past his prime and certainly not as much of a big-play threat as he used to be. But there is something to be said about chemistry, and one of the most important places for chemistry is between a quarterback and a receiver. The Steelers have mostly stayed away from bringing in Rodgers’ friends from around the league. But at a deadline in which they clearly didn’t want to overpay, it makes sense to look at a low-key signing, especially one your quarterback is a big fan of.
Yet, the road to targets is a long one. DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin III are going to get theirs. Roman Wilson has emerged in recent weeks, too, as long as his fumble from last week doesn’t cost him snaps. And it’s abundantly clear that Rodgers likes his tight end room. For Valdes-Scantling to have a real impact, there are quite a few names he must pass first. But maybe his chemistry with Rodgers helps him do that eventually.
Last year, the Steelers made a small move at receiver at the deadline. Then, they had to part with a late pick. This time, they don’t lose any assets and bring in a veteran who knows the quarterback well. Some Steelers fans wanted a bigger name, and there’s logic behind that argument. But Marquez Valdes-Scantling could be a sneaky good addition, if he can earn himself the chance.
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