WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling happy to be reunited with Aaron Rodgers, join Steelers practice squad

Mike Tomlin tried Tuesday to squash quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ recruiting pitch as a reason the Pittsburgh Steelers signed veteran wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the practice squad this week.

Valdes-Scantling told a different story Wednesday.

“This guy next to me got me here,” he said after engaging in his first practice with the Steelers. “He’s been trying to get me around since we left Green Bay.”

Newest Steelers WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling on what it will take for him to earn a promotion from the practice squad to the active roster pic.twitter.com/8uTzwuxZD7

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) November 5, 2025

Perhaps not coincidentally, the Steelers assigned Valdes-Scantling a locker next to Rodgers inside UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. The former Packers teammates were reunited this week — two months after it looked like Valdes-Scantling might sign with the Steelers.

A day after being released by the Seattle Seahawks late in training camp, Valdes-Scantling had offers from the Steelers and San Francisco 49ers that he was weighing.

Despite Rodgers advocating for him to join him on the Steelers, the 31-year-old Valdes-Scantling chose the 49ers. He made his decision based on a desire to remain on the West Coast and because the 49ers ran an offense similar to the one Seattle offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak employs.

“It was an easier transition to get on the field right away,” he said.

When Valdes-Scantling was released with an injury settlement Oct. 18, he spent a week contemplating his future before deciding to reunite with Rodgers.

“It was a joint effort,” Valdes-Scantling said. “He called, and we talked about it a couple times. He said he would love to have me here. He made his pitch, and it was down to the wire. I was already on the West Coast, so it was easier to stay over there. Then, it was going home for a week, hitting reset and I said I wanted to keep playing.

“I gave Aaron a call, and he said let’s do it.”

Aaron Rodgers on the addition of former teammate, WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, to the Steelers practice squad pic.twitter.com/ZlghgBi5NK

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) November 5, 2025

The Steelers worked out Valdes-Scantling a week earlier but waited until they had assurances he was healthy before making the practice squad offer official. Valdes-Scantling had a calf injury that led to his trip to injured reserve and release by San Francisco a day earlier.

In five games with the 49ers, Valdes-Scantling caught four passes for 40 yards and no touchdowns. That greatly reduced his chances of securing a spot on a team’s 53-man roster.

Instead, he joined the Steelers practice squad with something to prove.

“I know I can still play in this league,” Valdes-Scantling said. “There was some hesitation there (about signing a practice squad contract), but I know once I get up to speed, I’ll be able to step on the field.”

Having a locker adjacent to Rodgers can help expedite the learning curve.

“I can translate the offense we ran in Green Bay for a number of years into this offense for him,” Rodgers said. “He’s a smart guy, he’s played a lot of football, been around a long time and has been productive. I’m sure he’ll pick it up pretty quick.”

A fifth-round pick by Green Bay in 2018, Valdes-Scantling spent four seasons on the receiving end of Rodgers’ passes. He caught 123 passes for 2,153 yards and 13 touchdowns. He used his 6-foot-4, 206-pound frame as a downfield threat, averaging 17.5 yards per catch with the Packers, and he led the NFL with a 20.9 average in 2020.

“We had a great rapport in the four years we played together,” Valdes-Scantling said. “He’s one of my closest friends. He’s taught me a lot.”

From Green Bay, Valdes-Scantling moved on to Kansas City where he spent two seasons catching passes from Patrick Mahomes. He earned a Super Bowl ring in each of his seasons with the Chiefs. He split the 2024 season between Buffalo, where his quarterback was Josh Allen, and New Orleans. Between those stops, he caught 44 passes for 411 yards and four touchdowns.

Now, he is the oldest player in a receivers room that includes DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin, Roman Wilson, Scotty Miller and Ben Skowronek.

“He’s been a good player in this league,” Metcalf said. “He’s also played with Aaron and a bunch of great quarterbacks. Just to have him in the room, so I can pick his brain and others can pick his brain, is a plus.”