Catching passes from Jayden Daniels on the NFC East-leading Washington Commanders would have been fun, but Marquez Valdes-Scantling may have more opportunities to make a play with the New Orleans Saints. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Valdes-Scantling fielded interest from the Commanders and Indianapolis Colts, among other teams, but the veteran wide receiver picked the black and gold.
It’s easy to see why. Players want to play, and opportunities abound in New Orleans. Injuries have hit the Saints hard at wide receiver. Chris Olave is still working his way back through the NFL concussion protocol, and Rashid Shaheed is out for the season after knee surgery. Bub Means and Cedrick Wilson Jr. have each been listed on the injury report with ailments of their own. It shouldn’t take Valdes-Scantling long to climb the depth chart.
That’s certainly more appealing than competing with established weapons like Terry McLaurin, Zach Ertz, Michael Pittman Jr., and Josh Downs for targets. Valdes-Scantling would’ve spent more time on the sideline in Washington or Indianapolis than he will in New Orleans. Young quarterbacks like Daniels and Anthony Richardson certainly have their appeal but what matters most is how often you’re in the game.
At the same time, it may have come down to money. We don’t know the terms of his contract, but if the Saints were the only team offering Valdes-Scantling a spot on their 53-man roster while other teams wanted him to start out on their practice squad, the difference is clear. Even a minimum salary of $1,125,000 for the season and about $66,176 each week outweighs the max he could hope for on a practice squad (up to $21,300 each week). NFL careers are short, and Valdes-Scantling owes it to himself to consider all factors when making a decision like this.
So now he’s in New Orleans. Fowler adds that Valdes-Scantling has already passed his physical and is getting to work on the playbook. The Saints have a game coming up quickly with the Los Angeles Chargers this Sunday, and it would be great to see him in the mix right away.
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