Steelers Sign Aaron Rodgers’ Former WR
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers made sure they helped out quarterback Aaron Rodgers, giving him a wide reicever he has great rapport with.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported that the wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling plans to sign with the Steelers and reunite with Rodgers.
Steelers Host Marquez Valdes-Scantling for Workout
Valdes-Scantling worked out for the Steelers on Oct. 27, just a day after they lost 35-25 to the Packers at Acrisure Stadium in Week 8.
The workout went well, which allows Valdes-Scantling to join the Steelers and have a chance for more great moments with Rodgers.
Fowler reported that Valdes-Scantling will likely start on the practice squad and that it's not known when he'll join the Steelers, due to travel logistics.
Rodgers and Valdes-Scantling Share Great Connection
The Packers took Valdes-Scantling in the fifth round in the 2018 NFL Draft out of USF and he spent his first four seasons in the NFL catching passes from Rodgers.
Valdes-Scantling caught 123 passes for 2,153 yards, 17.5 average yards per reception, and 13 touchdowns during his time in Green Bay.
His best season with Rodgers came in 2020, starting 12 of 16 games and making 33 catches for 690 yards and six touchdowns, both career-highs. His 20.9 yards per reception led the NFL that season
Valdes-Scantling Moves around the NFL
Valdes-Scantling signed a three-year, $40 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs on March 24, 2022.
He spent two seasons with the Chiefs, making 63 catches for 1,002 yards, 15.9 yards per reception, and three touchdowns in 33 games.
Valdes-Scantling won two Super Bowls with the Chiefs, including catching a touchdown in Super Bowl LVIII, a 25-22 win over the San Francisco 49ers.
His best season with the Chiefs and MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes came in 2022, where he made a career-high 42 catches for 687 yards, 16.4 yards per reception, and two touchdowns.
The Chiefs released him after the 2023 season and he spent 2024 with both the Buffalo Bills and the New Orleans Saints, playing in 14 games combined. He had 17 catches for 385 yards and four touchdowns with the Saints in eight starts.
He signed with the 49ers practice squad on Aug. 27, but a calf injury landed him on injured reserve on Oct. 17 and the 49ers released him the day after.
How the Steelers Wide Receiver Corps Looks Now
The Steelers currently have six wide receivers on the 53-man active roster, which includes DK Metcalf, Scotty Miller, Ben Skowronek, Ke'Shawn Williams and Roman Wilson.
Adding Valdes-Scantling gives them a veteran presence on a roster with either younger wide outs or older, but less productive ones.
It also allows Rodgers a wide receiver that he has worked with before, which should make for a more effective offense overall.
Terry McLaurin Leaves Commanders-Chiefs Game Early With Quad Injury
Terry McLaurin returned to action on Monday night in the Commanders-Chiefs primetime game after missing the last four games with a quad injury.
Unfortunately, McLaurin left Monday night's contest in the fourth quarter after he seemingly re-aggravated the same injury. This is not the news Washington fans wanted to receive on Monday night, especially as they were dealing with a 28-7 loss to the Chiefs.
McLaurin made his mark in the game, though. In the second quarter, the receiver scored an incredible touchdown as he toe-tapped in the end zone before going out of bounds. The play was so close it was initially called an incompletion, but an expedited review gave McLaurin and the Commanders their first and only score of the game.
McLaurin caught just three passes on Monday night for 54 yards, including that 11-yard catch for the touchdown.
Washington next faces the Seahawks on Sunday Night Football this upcoming week.
Terry McLaurin gives update on his quad after game
In the locker room after the Commanders' loss, McLaurin provided more information about his quad. He said he was feeling O.K. and that he's taking the recovery "day-by-day" as his quad is a little sore here and there. McLaurin added that he's going to "see how the week goes and go from there" in terms of him playing in Week 9.
McLaurin added that he was just grateful to play for his teammates on Monday night and make the big touchdown play that he completed.
