Marquez Valdes-Scantling on offseason move: I must be living right

After four seasons with the Green Bay Packers, wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling signed with the Kansas City Chiefs this offseason. Moving from one franchise to another comes with its fair share of changes. In a receiver’s case, that most notably comes in the change in quarterback.

Going from Aaron Rodgers to Patrick Mahomes, though? Valdes-Scantling says there isn’t much contrast besides the age of the two QBs.

“There’s not much difference. One is just a little bit older,” said Valdes-Scantling to Nate Taylor of The Athletic. “I’m just super excited to have the two best quarterbacks throw me the ball. I guess I’m living right.”

Getting to play with three of the last four NFL MVPs is quite the stroke of luck for the former USF and NC State receiver. After 123 receptions for 2,153 yards and 13 touchdowns alongside Rodgers, he’ll hope to replicate and even improve those numbers with Mahomes.

With the creativity of both quarterbacks, though, Valdes-Scantling says one skill he learned that will help him with the Chiefs.

“(I’m) always aware that the ball could come to you at any given time,” he said.

With no more Tyreek Hill, Valdes-Scantling will pair with JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman as Mahomes’ new receiving core. Hardman is the only returning Chief of the trio, which leaves a lot of ground to be made up before Kansas City opens against Arizona.

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

Marquez Valdes-Scantling believes the perfect series of events brought him to the Kansas City Chiefs. 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.

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, NC State product has made his living as a deep threat. He 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.”