The Chiefs lost a lot of speed on Wednesday when they traded All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins. A day later, they've gained at least a little bit back, signing former Packers deep threat Marquez Valdes-Scantling to a three-year, $30 million deal, as reported by ESPN and NFL Media. The 27-year-old Valdes-Scantling was one of the top remaining free agents at receiver and reportedly visited Kansas City on Tuesday as Hill's move to Miami was being finalized.
The Patriots had interest in the former Packers starter, per NFL Media's Mike Giardi, and so did the Saints, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, with Green Bay "in consideration" offering a one-year deal. In the end, the Chiefs paid up to secure the former fifth-round draft pick, who figures to become an immediate outside starter in the wake of Hill's departure. Valdes-Scantling will make $18 million over the first two years of the deal, per Tom Pelissero, all of which is fully guaranteed. He can make up to $36 million over the life of the deal, thanks to potential incentives.
Injuries limited the veteran to 11 games in 2021, when he logged a career-low 26 catches for 430 yards. When healthy, however, the former South Florida standout starred as one of Aaron Rodgers' top big-play targets, averaging 17.6 yards per catch over the course of four seasons. He was especially busy in 2020, when he hauled in 33 passes for 690 yards and a career-best six touchdowns during Rodgers' first of consecutive NFL MVP honors.
The Chiefs recently added several other notable names to their receiving corps, likely in preparation of moving Hill. They signed former Steelers starter JuJu Smith-Schuster to a one-year deal, presumably as a top-two wideout, and also added former top-15 pick Corey Coleman, who was last seen with the Giants in 2018.
