Steelers expected to sign veteran WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling after workout
After working out one of Aaron Rodgers’ former wide receivers Monday, the Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly are signing him to a contract.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling had a tryout at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, and it went well enough that the Steelers plan to add him to the roster, according to ESPN.
With the Steelers, Valdes-Scantling will be reunited with Aaron Rodgers. Valdez-Scantling spent his first four seasons in Green Bay when Rodgers was the quarterback, and he caught 123 passes for 2,153 yards and 13 touchdowns. In 2020, he led the NFL when he averaged 20.9 yards per catch. He also had six touchdowns on 33 receptions that season.
Since leaving Green Bay, Valdes-Scantling has played for Kansas City, Buffalo, New Orleans and San Francisco. In five games this season with the 49ers, Valdes-Scantling had four receptions for 40 yards and no touchdowns. He signed with San Francisco’s practice squad after spending training camp with the Seattle Seahawks. He was elevated before the season opener.
The 49ers placed Valdes-Scantling on injured reserve with a calf injury Oct. 17 and released him the next day. Valdes-Scantling reportedly considered joining the Steelers after being released by the Seahawks but elected to stay on the West Coast and join the 49ers instead.
In his eight-year NFL career, Valdes-Scantling has caught 209 passes for 3606 yards and 20 touchdowns. The Steelers are seeking a veteran receiver to provide depth behind starters DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin III.
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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