Former Packers WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling shares why he picked Chiefs

Marquez Valdes-Scantling believes the perfect series of events helped bring him to the Kansas City Chiefs and the former fifth-round selection is confident he can finally showcase his skillset at the top level.

Just hours after the Chiefs traded star wide receiver Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins, the former Green Bay Packers wideout who mainly contributed as the second or third option in the offense, signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Chiefs.

At age 27, the new Kansas City wideout attributes the timing of Tyreek Hill leaving for Miami as the perfect storm for him to come in and finally get a chance he never had in Green Bay.

“I think that with the departure of him, it gave me a really good opportunity to be in position to come in and be an immediate impact right away,” Valdes-Scantling said Friday, via Herbie Teope of the Kansas City Star. “So, I think that was a huge factor into it.”

The former South Florida, North Carolina State product has made his living as a deep threat but was also on a roster with elite pass-catching talents highlighted by Davante Adams.

The newest Chiefs’ weapon believes he can bring that speed to take the top off defenses, but also has the understanding his skillset will open new avenues based on the Kansas City coaching staff’s record for finding creative ways to get the ball to their playmakers.

“Obviously, I’ve been a top deep threat in the league for the four years in my career,” Valdes-Scantling said. “Those stats speak for themselves, but (I’m) also not limited to just that, at the end of the day. Coach (Andy) Reid does a really good job of getting his playmakers the ball. I think with having Pat (Mahomes) under center and Coach Reid calling those plays, I think I fit right in.

More details on the Valdes-Scantling deal

The Chiefs signed Valdes-Scantling to a three-year deal worth $30 million, including $18 million guaranteed. But Valdes-Scantling said that he had more lucrative offers elsewhere in free agency. But he wanted to be in a position to win, and he believes that the Chiefs give him the best chance to do so.

“I turned down a bunch of other deals for more money because I didn’t want to go lose,” Valdes-Scantling said via Aaron Ladd on signing with the Chiefs. “It’s not always about money.”

Valdes-Scantling previously spent four years with the Packers after being selected in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of South Florida. In Green Bay, he has turned into a big threat down the field. Valdes-Scantling caught 38 passes for 581 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie in 2018, and he had 26 receptions for 452 yards and two touchdowns in 2019.

2020 was the best season of his NFL career, as he had 33 receptions for 690 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 20.9 yards per carry. This past season, Valdes-Scantling played in just 11 games, totaling 26 receptions for 430 yards and three touchdowns.