Steelers To Sign Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Aaron Rodgers has not thrown his weight around in Pittsburgh to the degree he did in New York, but one of his former targets will join him in Pennsylvania. Marquez Valdes-Scantling‘s Steelers workout will produce a deal, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports.
This marks another nomadic year for Valdes-Scantling, who spent time with the Seahawks and 49ers. In 2024, he moved from Kansas City to Buffalo to New Orleans. This Pittsburgh trek does provide a notable reunion, as Rodgers and MVS played together from 2018-21 in Green Bay.
[RELATED: Steelers Eyeing Second Season With Rodgers]
The Buccaneers also showed interest in the veteran deep threat, according to veteran insider Jordan Schultz, who adds the Steelers were interested after his Seahawks release. Dropped by two teams since August, Valdes-Scantling preferred the Rodgers reunion at this stage, per Schultz.
Now 31, MVS has lost considerable value since his three-year, $30MM Chiefs pact. But the Steelers will hope some familiarity can help — even if this is probably not the end of their much-rumored wideout pursuit. They were previously linked to Jakobi Meyers and Calvin Ridley.
Valdes-Scantling is still collecting guaranteed money from the Seahawks, who gave him a one-year deal worth $4MM. Seattle ate $3MM fully guaranteed by cutting MVS out of training camp. The reunion with Klint Kubiak proved short-lived, but the receiver-needy 49ers gave him a shot. That partnership ended earlier this month with an injury settlement. The eighth-year veteran appears ready to contribute in Pittsburgh, though Fowler adds this is likely a practice squad deal to start.
After making aggressive pursuits of receivers — most notably Brandon Aiyuk — last year, the Steelers are at it again. They have not seen anyone emerge as a reliable D.K. Metcalf complementary piece. Months ago, they came up as a potential destination for ex-MVS/Rodgers Packers teammate Allen Lazard. No move has transpired, but the team has been tied to the WR market once again. With Jaylen Waddle and Chris Olave not expected to be moved, pickings appear slim for teams eyeing help here ahead of the November 4 deadline.
The Steelers, who did see Calvin Austin return to action Sunday night after a two-game absence, do not have a second wideout beyond 175 yards. Austin sits at 167, with Roman Wilson at 110. Tight ends have served as Rodgers auxiliary options. Valdes-Scantling played in five 49ers games this season, catching four passes for 40 yards. After being a Bills in-season release, MVS caught on with the Saints and impressed, posting 17 catches for 385 yards and four TDs.
This reunion comes after Rodgers influenced the Jets to sign Lazard and Randall Cobb in 2023, when they also hired ex-Packers OC Nathaniel Hackett to the same position and signed ex-Green Bay blocker Billy Turner. Rodgers later pushed for Davante Adams at the 2024 trade deadline, getting his wish. The Steelers are more or less throwing a dart by placating Rodgers via this transaction, but it would not surprise to see MVS — who was part of Rodgers’ third and fourth MVP seasons (2020-21) — see time soon due to his familiarity with Pittsburgh’s high-profile QB.
The Bucs are currently without Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan. And Emeka Egbuka recently returned from a hamstring injury. For now, they will hope Godwin — who is not on IR — can make a near-future return to complement Egbuka. The team still has Sterling Shepard as a No. 3 option in that reality, with rookie Tez Johnson being utilized amid the injuries as well.
Steelers DL Daniel Ekuale Suffers ACL Tear
The Steelers’ defense is a group which has received considerable criticism so far this season. The unit will be without a depth contributor moving forward. 
Daniel Ekuale went down during yesterday’s loss against the Packers. The veteran defensive lineman has since been diagnosed with a torn ACL, Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network report. As a result, he will miss the remainder of the campaign.
Ekuale has bounced around the AFC over the course of his career. The former UDFA saw time with the Browns and Jaguars before a four-year run in New England. Ekuale’s Patriots tenure saw him log 16 starts, each of which came last season. In 2024, he comfortably set a new career high with 52 tackles while playing over 700 defensive snaps.
Prior to yesterday’s injury, Ekuale had only been on the field for 14% of the Steelers’ snaps. That marked a career low in terms of workload, but his absence will still deal a blow to a Pittsburgh defensive front over the remainder of the season. Ekuale, 31, signed a one-year deal in March to come to Pittsburgh. Needless to say, today’s injury news will greatly hinder his value on the open market next spring.
Pittsburgh moved Dean Lowry to injured reserve this summer, ending his 2025 campaign before it began. The team has Cameron Heyward and Keeanu Benton, along with rookies Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black, remaining on the depth chart along the defensive line. That group will be counted on to continue operating as key figures on the defensive interior moving forward. Ekuale, meanwhile, will now turn his attention to a lengthy recovery process.
Bills Pursuing Trade For WR, S; Saints’ Rashid Shaheed A Possible Target?
The Bills have lost two in a row and find themselves in an unexpected fight with the Patriots for first place in the AFC East. Buffalo’s top three wideouts – Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, and Josh Palmer – have not been terribly productive, and as NFL.com’s Eric Edholm observes, the team has not put up more than 245 net passing yards since Week 1. As such, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports hears the Bills could be on the lookout for WR help at the trade deadline.
The fact that Brandon Beane’s trade for Amari Cooper last October did not pan out as hoped presumably will not deter the GM from exploring the receiver market again this year. Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic (subscription required) acknowledges the Saints’ Rashid Shaheed is not as clean of a schematic fit for the Bills as New Orleans teammate Chris Olave would be, but the contract-year Shaheed is a more realistic trade candidate than Olave, whom the Saints are seeking to extend (and who is unlikely to be dealt). Buscaglia names the Raiders’ Jakobi Meyers and the Ravens’ Rashod Bateman as other pass catchers Beane could consider.
Albert Breer of SI.com also identifies Shaheed as a potential target for the Bills. As an impending free agent on a losing team, the 27-year-old speedster is drawing trade interest from around the league, so Buffalo could have competition for his services. Shaheed has caught 30 passes for 356 yards and two touchdowns and has averaged 14.0 yards on eight punt returns.
Las Vegas is reportedly open to trading Meyers, a 2026 free agent. However, ESPN’s Adam Schefter says the Raiders will not simply give him away despite his expiring contract and their 2-5 record, and they will only move him if they get “strong value” in exchange. As of yet, such an offer has not been presented to Vegas brass.
Dianna Russini of The Athletic (subscription required) confirms the Bills are looking for a reinforcement at wide receiver, but Buffalo will have company in that regard. The Broncos and Steelers were previously named as clubs in the WR hunt, and Schefter reports Denver and Pittsburgh join the Bills as the teams that have been the most aggressive in pursuing a pass-catching upgrade.
Russini says Buffalo is looking into the safety market as well. That makes sense in light of the fact that Buffalo was recently forced to place Taylor Rapp on injured reserve, and Buscaglia suggests a reunion with cornerback (and current Dolphin) Rasul Douglas is another way the team could upgrade its pass defense.
That said, the Bills’ 31st-ranked run defense has been a more pressing issue. To that end, Buscaglia names Jets DT Harrison Phillips and Browns DT Maliek Collins as potential fits.
But, as Edholm points out, the Bills have just $2.5MM of cap space at the moment, so Beane may need to be creative as he seeks ways to upgrade his roster prior to the November 4 deadline.
Steelers Working Out WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
As the Steelers battle to extend their lead atop the AFC North, reports are coming out that the team is entertaining some depth at a position of intrigue. According to Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports, Pittsburgh will host veteran free agent wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling for a workout tomorrow. 
Valdes-Scantling started his career in Green Bay, catching passes off current Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The deep-ball menace would become the fourth wide receiver to reunite with the 41-year-old since Rodgers left the Packers. Unlike Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, and Randall Cobb, Valdes-Scantling didn’t find his way to New York, but he’ll get his opportunity to reunite with his former quarterback following the weekend.
While Valdes-Scantling didn’t follow Rodgers like the rest, he took a pretty good path of his own. Signing with the Chiefs and going from Rodgers to Patrick Mahomes, Valdes Scantling won two Super Bowl rings in his first two years out of Green Bay. He signed with the Bills — going from Rodgers to Mahomes to Josh Allen — in 2024, but after seeing minimal success in six weeks in Buffalo, Valdes-Scantling was released in order to make room for trade acquisition Amari Cooper. Following his release, Valdes-Scantling rebounded on a contract with the Saints, where he filled in on a receiving corps that had lost Chris Olave for the season.
The Steelers could use another contributor in their receiving corps. Despite their team success, the passing attack ranked 18th in the NFL in yards per game coming into the week. While behind D.K. Metcalf, the team rosters contributors like Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, and Ben Skowronek, the receivers haven’t produced much outside of Metcalf. After Metcalf, four players see more targets than WR2 Austin.
Running backs Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren and tight ends Jonnu Smith and Pat Freiermuth have been the players Rodgers has relied upon most after Metcalf. While Austin’s two receiving touchdowns are good for second on the team (tied with two other players), he’s fourth in receiving yards and sixth in receptions. Wilson, Skowronek, and Scott Miller have combined to contribute six catches for 67 yards and one touchdown, leaving much to be desired at the position.
Perhaps, at 31 years old, Valdes-Scantling doesn’t have it in him to be the impact addition the Steelers need on offense. Perhaps, his connection with Rodgers from their time together in Green Bay four years ago will help ignite the offense and elevate their chances for success. He’ll get his chance tomorrow to find out.
Steelers Open To Retaining Aaron Rodgers For 2026; QB Will Retire With Packers
Aaron Rodgers‘ lengthy free agent spell resulted – as expected – in a Steelers agreement. The future Hall of Famer took a one-year pact, and prior to the start of the campaign he made it clear 2025 is likely his final one in the NFL. 
Rodgers gave thought to retirement prior to signing with Pittsburgh, and only a small list of suitors was in place while he was on the market. Things have gone as well as team and player could have hoped so far, but the 41-year-old has given no indication he will continue playing past the current season. In the event that were to change, the Steelers would be open to a 2026 Rodgers setup under center.
Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports (subscription required) Pittsburgh “would love” to have Rodgers back in place for next season. The four-time MVP currently leads the NFL in touchdown percentage (8.1%) and he has helped lead the Steelers to a 4-2 record and top spot in the AFC North. Pittsburgh’s offense in general has plenty of room for improvement moving forward, but if Rodgers can remain healthy a case could be made for him to continue his career at least one more season.
Since Ben Roethlisberger‘s retirement, the Steelers have struggled to find a productive replacement over any extended period. Last season’s Russell Wilson–Justin Fields experiment resulted in a playoff berth but both passers moved on during free agency after one Pittsburgh campaign. The Rodgers signing was obviously not seen as a long-term investment but it brought about the potential for an upgrade over what the team has had in previous years in terms of play under center.
It remains to be seen how Rodgers’ debut Steelers season will finish and whether his stance will change on the matter of retirement after it ends. In any case, it was recently learned he will officially conclude his career as a member of the Packers. That comes as little surprise, of course, given Rodgers’ illustrious run during his 18 years in Green Bay.
“Regardless of when I hang it up, that’s the bulk of my career. I’ll retire a Packer and see what happens after that,” Rodgers said (via Russini’s colleague Matt Schneidman). “Damn near everything great in my life is because of my football career, and my football career starts and will end one day with Green Bay. So I’ve got a lot of love for all those memories and a lot of great friends I still carry with me to this day.”
That update comes shortly before the Steelers and Packers will play each other in Week 8. Rodgers taking on the team with which he won a Super Bowl will make for one of the league’s top storylines over the coming days, but his overall playing future will also be worth monitoring.
Steelers Interested In Trading For WRs Jakobi Meyers, Calvin Ridley?
To no surprise, the Steelers are among the teams reported to be in the market for a receiver addition prior to the upcoming trade deadline. Specific targets on that front have now emerged. 
Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda reports Pittsburgh is interested in Jakobi Meyers. That comes as little surprise given the market in place for the pending free agent. Meyers is still open to being moved (as he was in the summer), and the Raiders now appear to be willing to swing a trade. Coming off a 1,000-yard campaign in 2024, Meyers is one of the top trade targets at the receiver position this year.
While he will have a strong market as a result, the same may not be true of Calvin Ridley. Per Pauline, the Titans veteran is also a target of the Steelers. Ridley topped 1,000 yards during his single campaign with the Jaguars in 2023 and did so again last year while debuting in Tennessee. The 30-year-old has not enjoyed the same level of success this season with the Titans undergoing a coaching change in the midst of quarterback Cam Ward‘s rookie campaign. Ridley has surpassed 57 receiving yards just once in 2025 and he has yet to score a touchdown.
The former Falcons first-rounder is playing out the second season of his four-year, $92MM free agent deal signed last spring. Ridley is therefore not a rental, and taking on even a portion of his $22.49MM base salary for this year would not be feasible for many suitors. His contract also contains $3MM already locked in for next season with a $1MM roster bonus due in March. The Titans recently granted Tyler Lockett‘s request to be released, so moving on from another veteran wideout as part of a rebuilding phase would not entirely come as a surprise.
Pauline adds that Jaylen Waddle is also on Pittsburgh’s radar, although the Dolphins are not expected to deal away the fifth-year receiver. Waddle (like Ridley) would be viewed as more than a rental in the event of a swap, and absorbing his contract would be challenging compared to other WR options. The Steelers have shown interest in notable wideout additions even before their offseason decisions to trade away George Pickens and add D.K. Metcalf. The team’s depth chart beyond the former Seahawk is a question mark, so a move of some kind would be feasible given Pittsburgh’s approach to the 2025 campaign.
At this point, the Steelers have roughly $6.3MM in cap space. That figure could change if a restructure or cost-shedding move is to be made before the November 4 deadline, something which would signal a trade being imminent. Pittsburgh remains a team to watch closely over the coming days, and in particular it will be interesting to see if Meyers or Ridley become heavily linked to a trade there.
Steelers Looking To Add WR To Maximize Success With Aaron Rodgers
The Steelers are interested in adding a wide receiver before the NFL’s trade deadline, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
This is nothing new for Pittsburgh, who are constantly mentioned in receiver trade rumors. They have been as active in the position’s market as any other team in the last year, acquiring Mike Williams before the 2024 deadline, landing D.K. Metcalf in a blockbuster move in March, and sending George Pickens to the Cowboys in May. Despite interest in adding another wideout before the season, the Steelers decided to see what their offense would look like with Aaron Rodgers under center.
The results so far have been encouraging. Pittsburgh is 4-2 with sole possession of first place in the AFC North. Behind them are the 3-4 Bengals, who are hoping that Joe Flacco can keep their offense afloat until a potential late-season return from Joe Burrow. The 2-5 Browns are reportedly targeting a top quarterback prospect in the 2025 draft, indicating they have no intention of competing this year. The Ravens are 1-5 and enter Week 8 desperately needing Lamar Jackson to return from his hamstring injury before their season slips completely away.
As a result, the Steelers have a clear opportunity to run away with the division and even compete for a top AFC playoff seed. That has created a desire to maximize the team’s chances of making a run while they have Rodgers, per The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo. Running back Jaylen Warren is averaging 36.8 receiving yards per game and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has deployed all three of his tight ends effectively, but the Steelers could use more consistent production from their receiver room.
Rodgers has established a good connection with Metcalf, but Pittsburgh’s other wideouts have not stepped up. Calvin Austin went quiet after a 70-yard performance in Week 1 and missed the last three games with a shoulder injury. 2024 third-rounder Roman Wilson has only five targets on 92 snaps despite hopes of a second-year breakout. Depth options Ben Skowronek and Scott Miller have not offered much, either.
Whether it’s adding a more reliable rotational piece or a legitimate WR2, the Steelers seem intent on adding a wide receiver in the coming weeks, according to FOX Sports’ Eric Williams. Unlike last year, the positions trade market isn’t particularly hot, which might mean that Pittsburgh has less competition to acquire a receiver, but also that there are fewer players for them to target.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/22/25
Here are today’s midweek minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Opened practice window: T Storm Norton
Cincinnati Bengals
- Opened practice window: DE Cedric Johnson
Denver Broncos
- Signed from practice squad: QB Sam Ehlinger
Detroit Lions
- Placed on IR: LB Zach Cunningham
Houston Texans
- Designated to return from IR: CB Jaylin Smith
Miami Dolphins
- Designated to return from IR: CB Jason Marshall
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from IR: DT John Ridgeway
Philadelphia Eagles
- Designated to return from IR: CB Jakorian Bennett
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Designated to return from IR: QB Will Howard
- Waived (with injury settlement): T Gareth Warren
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed from practice squad: DE Robert Beal Jr.
- Designated to return from IR: OL Spencer Burford
- Released: DE Trevis Gipson
Seattle Seahawks
- Released: TE Eric Saubert
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed from practice squad: G Michael Jordan
- Placed on IR: WR Mike Evans (story)
While several players were designated to return from injured reserve today, Norton and Johnson’s designations took place back on 8/26, the roster cut deadline. The Texans are in danger of being without their top three receivers in Week 8. Tank Dell is already on IR, but Nico Collins and Christian Kirk’s statuses for the weekend are up in the air as Collins deals with a concussion and Kirk has been dealing with n hamstring injury.
Not that they’ve needed him, since Aaron Rodgers has looked a bit more effective than he was in his days with the Jets, but Howard is nearing a return to the roster for the remainder of his rookie season. It will be interesting to see where the sixth-rounder slots in on the depth chart as he adds another level of security behind the 41-year-old Rodgers.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/21/25
Today’s practice squad moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: OL Raiqwon O’Neal
- Placed on IR: OL Ryan Hayes
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: LB Jeremiah Moon
- Released: CB Keion Crossen, OT Michael Tarquin
Chicago Bears
- Released: DL Tanoh Kpassagnon
Denver Broncos
- Signed: OL Marques Cox
- Released: OL Karsen Barnhart
Detroit Lions
- Signed: LB Ty Summers
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: DE Seth Coleman
- Released: CB Keenan Garber
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: RB Trayveon Williams
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: RB Audric Estime
New York Giants
- Signed: DT Elijah Garcia
New York Jets
- Signed: DT Fatorma Mulbah
Philadelphia Eagles
- Released: TE Jaheim Bell
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Released: QB Logan Woodside
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: LB Stone Blanton, TE Brayden Willis
- Released: TE Messiah Swinson
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DE David Ebuka Agoha, LB Ochaun Mathis
- Released: LB Curtis Jacobs
Miles Killebrew Has ‘Significant’ Knee Injury; Steelers Host George Odum
OCTOBER 16: The Steelers are placing Killebrew on injured reserve, according to Pryor. He will be sidelined for at least four games, making him eligible to return in Week 11 at the earliest. Pittsburgh now has one open spot on their 53-man roster.
OCTOBER 15: The Steelers may go without safety and special teams ace Miles Killebrew for the foreseeable future. Head coach Mike Tomlin announced that Killebrew is dealing with a “significant” knee injury. It’s unclear how much time Killebrew will miss, but the Steelers have already ruled him out for Thursday’s game against the Bengals (via Brooke Pryor of ESPN).
Killebrew, who suffered the injury while covering a kickoff return in a win over the Browns on Sunday, couldn’t put weight on his right leg. He had to be helped off the field and carted to the locker room. The 32-year-old’s absence will be felt on special teams.
A two-time Pro Bowler who’s now in the second season of a two-year, $6.5MM contract, Killebrew has not played at all on defense in 2025. However, the former first-team All-Pro ranks fourth on the team in special teams snaps.
To replace Killebrew, the Steelers could turn to another decorated special teamer in George Odum. The free agent safety visited the team on Tuesday, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. Odum, 31, divided the first seven years of his career between Indianapolis and San Francisco. He was a first-team All-Pro with the Colts in 2020 and a second-team All-Pro with the 49ers in 2022.
Odum underwent offseason elbow surgery, leading the 49ers to release him in July. Healthy again, he could catch on with the Steelers or another team as we near the second half of the season.