The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially signed wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling to their active roster, as reported by Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Valdes-Scantling was previously elevated from the practice squad to participate in the Steelers’ recent game against the Baltimore Ravens, where he played 16 snaps but was only targeted once. This new signing presents an opportunity for him to demonstrate his capabilities on the field.
“It’s a new system, so I’m trying to jump in,” Valdes-Scantling expressed regarding his adjustment. “Learn as much as you can. Obviously, I played with Aaron for four years, so there’s some carryover to the way that he likes to do things, but the system is completely different.” This insight reflects his experience and willingness to adapt, which could be crucial for his integration into the Steelers’ offense.
The wideout had initially drawn interest from Pittsburgh in August, but opted to sign with the San Francisco 49ers. Unfortunately, he sustained an injury that placed him on injured reserve, leading to his release. Now, the Steelers are focused on incorporating Valdes-Scantling into their lineup, hoping to leverage his potential as an additional playmaker.
Last season, the 30-year-old played for both the Buffalo Bills and the New Orleans Saints, accumulating 19 receptions for 411 yards and four touchdowns across both teams. Valdes-Scantling is known for his ability to make big plays, boasting an average of 21.6 yards per reception. Throughout his career, he played alongside Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers from 2018 to 2021, consistently achieving over 400 receiving yards each season, highlighted by a personal best of 690 yards in 2020.
Valdes-Scantling is versatile, capable of playing both outside and inside, though he has primarily operated as the team’s Z-receiver. With his impressive size at 6-foot-4 and weight of 210 pounds, coupled with a remarkable 4.37-second 40-yard dash time at the 2018 NFL Draft, he brings significant speed and height to the Steelers’ receiving core.
As Valdes-Scantling embarks on this new chapter with Pittsburgh, there is optimism that his talent and experience will prove beneficial for the team’s offensive strategies moving forward.