The New York Jets’ AFC East rival Buffalo Bills signed a free agent wide receiver linked to the Jets in former Kansas City Chiefs star Marquez Valdes-Scantling on Tuesday.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero broke the news on X (h/t Heavy Sports’ Paul A. Esden Jr.). Further, ESPN revealed that Valdes-Scantling’s deal is for one year at up to $4.5 million:
It’s a one-year deal for MVS, who won two Super Bowls with the #Chiefs and now will try for a third with their AFC rival in Buffalo. https://t.co/loeJExxfdE
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 14, 2024
Jets lose opportunity to team up Aaron Rodgers with former teammate Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Valdes-Scantling’s name was placed next to the Jets heavily due to the four seasons he played alongside Jets starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers from 2018 to 2021 with the Green Bay Packers. He was one of Rodgers’ favorite targets on the outside and helped him win two NFL MVP awards in 2020 and 2021.
The 29-year-old is a big-play wideout who could have helped the Jets on the outside along with featured receivers Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams.
Valdes-Scantling could have added depth to the Jets’ receiving corp
The Florida native led the NFL with 20.9 yards per reception in 2020 and averaged 15 yards per reception in 2023. The Jets struggled to generate big plays in the air last year, but with Rodgers healthy again, a player like “MVS” would have been another dynamic pass-catcher for the four-time league MVP to launch to down the field.
Valdes-Scantling gives the Bills a third deep-ball threat for next season
However, he now joins a Bills team that traded away superstar wideout Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans on April 3. Valdes-Scantling will enter the fold as one of Bills QB Josh Allen’s most talented receivers next season. Buffalo won the division last year at 11-6 and will be a foe for the Jets to deal with in their quest to reach the Super Bowl.
New York will have to watch out for Buffalo’s aerial attack in 2024, even without Diggs. Along with fellow offseason acquisition WR Curtis Samuel and the Bills’ remaining trio of pass-catchers in WR Khalil Shakir and TE Dalton Kincaid — all three of whom put up at least 600 receiving yards in 2023 — Allen will still have multiple options to utilize to spread out his offense.
Valdes-Scantling gives Allen a second wideout with over 15 yards per reception from last season. The Jets’ standout secondary will have to gear up for the Bills in their regular season matchups and potential playoff meeting this fall.
