Super Bowl free agent and former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling visits AFC Team the Los Angeles Chargers and could sign a contract imminently this offseason. According to a source, the wideout is still without a job this year but he is visiting a team that may have interest in him as they look to add speed to their receiving corps. This is the first visit for the two-time Super Bowl champion, so what the Chargers will decide will be interesting. However, the Chiefs signed DJ Chark but they may not be done yet to add another veteran.
In addition, the Chargers were able to draft three wideouts as they remake the position group for quarterback Justin Herbert. The team lost Mike Williams and Keenan Allen this offseason so that means it’s a crucial time for the Chargers to find new weapons. They don’t have experience in their receiving corps so it makes sense why they’re bringing the veteran for a visit. The Chargers have been the only team connected to his market the entire offseason since his release.
However, the team is focusing on the ground game this year so they’re not spending big-time money on a receiver. This doesn’t mean they can’t get some like Valdes-Scantling as a vertical option to help Quentin Johnston and Josh Palmer. The Chargers are the same team among others that are still interested in free agent Tyler Boyd. However, Valdes-Scantling may have a cheaper market due to teams having little interest.
In 2023, the South Florida product struggled in the regular season, notching 21 passes for 315 yards and a touchdown. However, he was clutch in a crucial catch on a third down to help the Chiefs in the AFC Championship game.
Super Bowl Free Agent Marquez Valdes-Scantling Visits AFC Team Los Angeles Chargers, Could Sign Imminently
Will He Land a Job in 2024?
Production isn’t the only reason why the Chiefs are moving on from Valdes-Scantling. Salary cap issues were in the way so they weren’t signing him to a new deal. Kansas City was reliant on Rashee Rice, Kadarius Toney and Travis Kelce for most of last year. This was signifying that the Valdes-Scantling wasn’t able to get open looks for Patrick Mahomes, leading to letting him go.
The Chiefs were able to ink a new deal with Marquise Brown and draft speedster, Xavier Worthy from Texas. However, this would later mark that Valdes-Scantling wasn’t going back for another year with Kansas City. Valdes-Scantling is still a caliber receiver in this league if the team is using him at the right moments. He was able to be clutch in moments in the playoffs for the Chiefs.
The Chargers are still desperate for a productive receiver despite signing and drafting a few wideouts. However, none of them are proven unlike Valdes-Scantling who helped the Chiefs win two consecutive Super Bowls. The South Florida product could give the Chargers a weapon with length and someone who can catch a launching ball. Here are other potential team fits for the veteran.
Team Fits for Valdes-Scantling
The Pittsburgh Steelers are still making calls for a wide receiver trade but were unsuccessful. They were attempting to make an offer to the 49ers about Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel but they’re not trading them at this time. This means they may have to bring someone on a one-year deal with proven experience so the answer may be Valdes-Scantling. However, the New Orleans Saints could be another possible fit since the Saints didn’t draft a receiver until the fifth round of this year’s draft.
One final option for the veteran would be teaming up with Lamar Jackson to fill the void after Odell Beckham Jr’s release. Valdes-Scantling could be a good addition to help Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman in the pass-catching game.
