NFL
Why are the Chiefs releasing Marquez Valdes-Scantling? KC’s wide reciever’s stats and performance
In a bold cash saving move, Kansas City releases Marquez Valdes-Scantling, saving $12 million toward their salary cap.
Performance leads to reward is the old mantra, but in the NFL that can sometimes be turned on its head.
On the run to the Super Bowl, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling had a solid performance, catching eight of 13 targets for 128 yards and a touchdown. You could be forgiven for thinking that his job was fairly secure.
But this is a brave new world.
Signing a three year, $30 million deal in 2022, Valdes-Scantling’s release will save $12 million on the Chiefs’ salary cap. He had good numbers in his first year with Kansas City, catching 42 passes for 687 yards and two touchdowns, but saw those numbers dip last season. In 2023, he had only 21 catches for 315 yards and one touchdown through the regular season.
A former Green Bay Packer, Valdes-Scantling had 123 receptions for 2153 yards and 13 touchdowns in four years at Lambeau.
A solid pair of hands, you have to feel that he won’t stay unemployed for very long.