Chiefs releasing Marquez Valdes-Scantling, per source: What’s the plan at WR?

The Kansas City Chiefs are releasing veteran wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, according to a league source, which will save the team $12 million on its 2024 salary cap.

The 29-year-old receiver watched his production and reliability drop in 2023 with 21 catches for 315 yards and one touchdown in the regular season. He rebounded, though, in the postseason for the Chiefs with eight catches for 128 yards and one TD (in Super Bowl LVIII).

Valdes-Scantling spent the last two seasons in Kansas City after leaving the Packers via free agency after playing his first four NFL seasons in Green Bay. He served as a bigger offensive piece in the 2022 season with the Chiefs with 42 catches for 687 yards and two touchdowns.

For his six-year career, the 2018 fifth-round pick has hauled in 186 receptions for 3,155 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Logical cap cut

The Chiefs releasing Valdes-Scantling makes plenty of sense, especially considering he was the most logical veteran to be a salary-cup cut. The decision created $12 million in cap space with just $2 million in dead money. The Chiefs hope to use much of that money to help re-sign pass rusher Chris Jones.

Valdes-Scantling had the worst season of his six-year career last year, but he played his best in a Chiefs uniform in the postseason. He became a legitimate deep threat who made memorable receptions during the team’s consecutive Super Bowl runs. In seven playoff games with the Chiefs, Valdes-Scantling generated 15 receptions for 250 yards and three touchdowns.

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Next for the Chiefs is revamping their receiver position with two new contributors, one being a veteran in free agency and another acquired in late April through a high draft pick. Entering free agency next month, the Chiefs have just five receivers on their roster — Justin Watson, Rashee Rice, Skyy Moore, Kadarius Toney and Justyn Ross. — Nate Taylor, Chiefs beat writer

Required reading

(Photo: Ryan Kang / Getty Images)