The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t make any big moves for a receiver at the trade deadline. But they did sign Marquez Valdes-Scantling to their practice squad. With youngsters like Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson on the roster, it made some sense to not make a bigger move at receiver.
However, their loss to the Los Angeles Chargers last Sunday night showed the lack of depth at the position. With Valdes-Scantling still on the practice squad, Mike Tomlin was asked about the possibility of elevating the veteran wide receiver from the practice squad in the near future.
“We’re not opposed to elevating people and giving them an opportunity to contribute. I think it’s been about every game this year where we’ve elevated someone and utilized their talents,” Tomlin said Tuesday via the Steelers’ YouTube channel. “I’m certainly open to evaluate [Valdes-]Scantling, and his ability to know what to do, and the quality of that execution, and how it might fit into what we’re trying to do offensively in an effort to engineer a victory.”
At this point in his career, Valdes-Scantling isn’t the same player he used to be. After spending his first handful of seasons with the Green Bay Packers, he’s bounced around quite a bit. If he does play a snap for the Steelers, they will be the fifth team he’s played for since 2022.
Yet, there is something to be said about chemistry, and he certainly has it with Aaron Rodgers. Valdes-Scantling never had less than 430 receiving yards during his time in Green Bay, and he has a fan in Rodgers. And during an eight-game run with New Orleans last season he had 385 receiving yards. So his ability to produce is still there.
He likely won’t be a major contributor, but the Steelers really do need somebody else to step up at receiver. The lack of a consistent second option is starting to hurt the offense. Just look at how the Chargers defended DK Metcalf on this fourth-down attempt on Sunday.
With one defender pressing at the line of scrimmage, and a safety over the top, there’s just no way this ball is going to be completed. But without another consistent, dynamic threat, teams can get away with defending Metcalf like this. Yet, in this particular instance, Rodgers clearly only felt comfortable going to Metcalf. He doesn’t even look to his left. Even with two tight ends who are certainly in better positions to catch the ball.
Bottom line, the Steelers need more pass catchers whom Rodgers has a good feel for. He’s building chemistry with the tight ends and younger players like Roman Wilson. Unfortunately none of them had great showing last week until garbage time rolled around. If elevated, Marquez Valdes-Scantling isn’t going to transform the offense. But he certainly could provide more depth, which the Steelers need at this point.
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