Marquez Valdes-Scantling, former wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs, is currently meeting with the Buffalo Bills after recent meetings with the Los Angeles Chargers. Valdes-Scantling is one of the best remaining free agents on the market and both the Bills and Chargers are in need of wide receivers. Despite coming off his worst year in terms of statistics, he had a solid postseason run with the Chiefs in 2023, even catching a touchdown pass in the Super Bowl.
Valdes-Scantling has been a reliable veteran receiver in both Green Bay and Kansas City since being drafted in 2018. He had a breakout season in 2020 with the Packers, catching a career-high 33 passes for 690 yards and six touchdowns, establishing himself as a downfield threat. However, he missed half of the 2021 season with a back injury and was not re-signed by the Packers in free agency. He then signed a three-year, $30 million deal with the Chiefs in 2022, where he had a productive season in 2022 but saw a decrease in targets in 2023.
The Chiefs released Valdes-Scantling this offseason, opting to free up cap space and make changes to their wide receiver room. While the Chiefs have since signed Marquise Brown and added rookie Xavier Worthy, the Bills are in need of more receiving options. They traded Stefon Diggs and let Gabe Davis leave in free agency, leaving room for Valdes-Scantling to potentially join the team. With Khalil Shakir and Curtis Samuel as the starting wide receivers, the Bills could benefit from adding a solid depth option like Valdes-Scantling, especially with their lack of proven talent in the position.
Although Valdes-Scantling may not be considered an elite wide receiver, he could provide the Bills with a reliable deep-threat option to complement quarterback Josh Allen’s style of play. With the current wide receiver lineup including rookie Keon Coleman, the addition of Valdes-Scantling could bring experience and versatility to the team. While the Bills have other potential options such as Chase Claypool, Mack Hollins, and K.J. Hamler, Valdes-Scantling’s proven track record and ability to stretch the field could make him a valuable asset for the team. It remains to be seen if Valdes-Scantling will strike a deal with the Bills or continue exploring opportunities with other AFC teams.
