The Green Bay Packers will forever be linked to Aaron Rodgers. That includes his time with the New York Jets (and anywhere else he plays) and long after he is retired.
It was evident last off-season that the Jets were interested in bringing in multiple familiar faces (to Rodgers) that could help the team’s chemistry. Something very similar could be going on as we enter the 2024 season.
Former Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver Linked To Teaming Up With Aaron Rodgers
According to Ralphe Ventre of Sports Illustrated:
The New York Jets seem like a reasonable suitor for an unsigned Super Bowl champion.
Although it’s not necessarily a pressing need, it wouldn’t hurt to add another proven pass-catching weapon for quarterback Aaron Rodgers and a familiar face just happens to be available.
Wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling played the last two seasons for the back-to-back Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs but remains available on the free agent market heading into the back half of OTAs.
New York has shown no hesitancy to make late offseason additions. Last August, they filled a perceived need at running back by taking a gamble on four-time Pro Bowl selection Dalvin Cook. The argument can be made that New York currently needs a receiver who can take the top off a defense.
Valdes-Scantling, along with current Jet Allen Lazard, was a member of the receiving corps that helped Rodgers win back-to-back NFL MVP awards in 2020 and 2021.
His most-productive season as a pro came in 2020 when he connected with Rodgers for 690 yards and six touchdowns, including a 20.9 ypc average.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling Has Had An Up And Down Career Since He Left Green Bay
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Valdes-Scantling took a visit with the Bills as a free agent. Last week, he also visited the Chargers, his first reported visit.
In 2023, he saw action on 618 offensive snaps across 16 games, with 10 starts. A total of 21 passes were caught for 315 yards and a touchdown.
A touchdown pass and eight catches for 128 yards were recorded by Valdes-Scantling in four postseason games. A 16-yard touchdown in the third quarter gave the Chiefs a 13-10 lead in the Super Bowl victory over the 49ers.
In his four seasons with the Packers and the past two with the Chiefs, Valdes-Scantling caught 186 passes for 3,155 yards and 16 touchdowns.
While winning back-to-back Super Bowl was certainly impressive, he hasn’t been able to step into that coveted WR1 role. Could a reunion with Aaron Rodgers be a step in that direction?
