Following his Seahawks release, Marquez Valdes-Scantling became one of the top receivers on the open market. A deal sending him to the 49ers’ active roster was quickly worked out. 
As a result, the veteran deep threat is in position to handle a role right away with a San Francisco team in need of healthy options at the receiver position. Valdes-Scantling had interest from other suitors, though. The runner-up in his market turned out to be the Steelers.
“It was between here and Pittsburgh,” Valdes-Scantling said during his introductory press conference (video link). “Obviously, I have a great relationship with Aaron Rodgers over there, and he wanted me back over there. So, it was a toss-up, 50/50, and I had to weigh my options and see which one I wanted to do, which was going to be better for my career at this point, and I was excited about it.”
Rodgers and Valdes-Scantling played together for four years in Green Bay. It comes as little surprise the Pittsburgh quarterback attempted to engineer a deal given his previous efforts to reunite with former Packers teammates. The Steelers have long been connected to a potential receiver addition this offseason, and their ongoing interest in Gabe Davis points to Pittsburgh looking for a vertical threat in particular.
Instead of reuniting with Rodgers for 2025, Valdes-Scantling will look to carve out an immediate role in San Francisco. The 49ers will be without Brandon Aiyuk and Jacob Cowing for at least the first four weeks of the season. Demarcus Robinson will be sidelined until Week 4 due to suspension, and it remains to be seen if Jauan Jennings will be available for the season opener. A short acclimation period will be in store, but Valdes-Scantling noted a familiarity with the 49ers’ scheme based on his time with Klint Kubiak in New Orleans last year and Seattle this summer. Kubiak’s brother Klay is San Francisco’s offensive coordinator.
The Steelers are set to move forward with a WR room led by trade acquisition D.K. Metcalf and returnees Calvin Austin and Roman Wilson. Davis is still unsigned, and especially with Valdes-Scantling turning down the opportunity to head to Pittsburgh it will be interesting to see if the team pursues a deal on that front over the coming days.
As a Steelers fan, who wouldn’t?
If he was the top receiver available, they may as well stick to their practice squad or undrafted players. He’s toast.
He is just not an upgrade over any guy on your practice squad.
He signed to their practice squad, not the active roster. I doubt he’s seeing any immediate impact.
I heard from SF beat writer, Dave Lombardi, he will be activated for week 2…..depending how things shake out during week 1.
You heard from him? Just say you read an article or tweet
Dang
Pittsburgh looks like a good fit, and with fewer receivers that could take snaps (the 9ers have Jennings, Bourne, and Pearsall at a minimum ahead of Valdez-Scantling, with Aiyuk returning at some point). It just seems more temporary. If MVS is released, I’d imagine that there’s still a good chance that he signs with the Steelers to be used as an auxiliary piece.
Jennings isn’t a lock to start the season, injured, and also asking for more money. Bourne is a free agent, only had a visit, and aiyuk is on IR, can’t come back until week 6. So the receiver room is Ricky, and a bunch of guys they they signed or traded for
Yeah, that’s quite fair to say. San Fran has a bunch of capable non-number one guys, but all are question marks. If they all work out, it’s a crowded room. If they don’t, you need insurance. Not sure if MVS fits Purdy’s style, but even with his faults (Hans, for instance), he’s proven and he’s played with good quarterbacks in quality offenses. Even if he’s lost a step, he’s worth a flier.
You forgot that Robinson comes back from suspension for the Niners in week 4. MVS could be released by mid-season.