The Kansas City Chiefs have a glaring need at the wide receiver position, and veteran pass catcher Marquez Valdes-Scantling is a major reason why the team’s offense underperformed during the regular season.
When the Chiefs signed him as a free agent in 2022 fans had high hopes for the speedy 6-foot-4 receiver, and his performance last year was admirable, even if he didn’t produce a 1,000-yard campaign.
However, in 2023, things have gone completely sideways for the 29-year-old. Despite suiting up for Kansas City’s first 16 games as the highest-paid receiver on the team’s roster, Valdes-Scantling only managed to catch 21 passes for 315 yards and one touchdown this season, according to Pro Football Reference.
He will end the year as the Chiefs’ fourth-leading receiver behind Travis Kelce, Rashee Rice, and Justin Watson.
The playoffs will present an opportunity for Valdes-Scantling to right the ship, but after his poor performance in Kansas City’s Super Bowl championship defense campaign, it seems likely that the Chiefs will elect to cut him in the offseason, which could save the team $12 million in cap space.