The Buffalo Bills and veteran wide receiver Marquez Valdez-Scantling have reportedly agreed on a one-year contract to bring the two-time Super Bowl winner to the AFC East, according to multiple reports.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the deal could be worth up to $4.5 million and comes with a $1.123 million signing bonus.
After beginning his career with the Green Bay Packers, Valdez-Scantling played the last two seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. He went from Aaron Rodgers as his quarterback during his first four seasons to Patrick Mahomes for the last two. He now joins forces with Bills quarterback Josh Allen.
The Chiefs signed Valdez-Scantling to a three-year deal worth $30 million in 2022. He was scheduled to enter the final year of that deal in 2024, but the Chiefs released him on Feb. 28 to save $12 million on their salary cap.
Valdez-Scantling’s production dipped in 2023. He caught 42 passes for 687 yards and two touchdowns in his first season with the Chiefs but only managed 21 catches for 315 yards and one touchdown last season. His best season came in 2020 when he caught 33 passes for 690 yards and six touchdowns. He’s a downfield threat with speed who can play on the outside.
The Bills have stockpiled big receivers this offseason. Valdez-Scantling, who is 6 feet 4 inches, is the third free agent receiver addition who measures in at that height, joining Mack Hollins and Chase Claypool. The Bills used their first pick in April’s draft to select receiver Keon Coleman, who also stands at 6-foot-4. Bills general manager Brandon Beane wanted to get bigger at receiver this offseason.
– Matt Parrino, NYUP.COM
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I’m not gonna lie…when MVS first came up as a Buffalo Bills option about two months ago, I was pretty underwhelmed at the idea. Truth be told, I’m still underwhelmed at the idea but on this side of the draft and with about 120 days to go til the Opener beggars can’t be choosers.
As much as there is to be cautious about MVS (drops, drops, and btw did we mention drops?) there are some angles with which this improves the room and obviously the team. The one obvious angle, is playoff experience. MVS went on runs with the Chiefs the past two years and had playoff experience in GB. Missing Gabe Davis? Well worry no more because we just got Gabe Davis+!
The other angle is like Matt reported, it’s a one-year deal, so if it doesn’t work out for whatever reason they can sever ties headed into 2025. The crazy thing to me, is right now it feels that there’s as much a chance that MVS is a playoff game MVP that he doesn’t even make the gameday roster some weeks?
Time will tell and the season can’t get here soon enough.
-MANIAC