The Seattle Seahawks shook up their wide receiver room to start the offseason, parting ways with a pair of longtime veterans.
The team had another big move on cutdown day. The team announced on August 26 that they released veteran receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who was expected to earn a meaningful spot on the depth chart.
Seahawks Pull Off Surprise on Offense
As Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times noted, Valdes-Scantling was predicted to be a major part of the Seahawks offense this season.
Cooper Kupp was the biggest part of that plan, but the Seahawks also brought in Valdes-Scantling, who led the NFL in yards per reception at 20.9 in 2020, with the hope he’d provide a deep threat,” Condotta wrote. They based much of that optimism on the success Valdes-Scantling had during the second half of last season when he played with the Saints for Klint Kubiak, who was New Orleans’ offensive coordinator last year and is now with the Seahawks.
As ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler noted, the Seahawks showed faith in Valdes-Scantling by handing him a significant contract this offseason.
The #Seahawks are releasing wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, per source. He signed a one-year, $4M deal with the club this offseason,” Fowler wrote.
Veteran Receiver Struggled in Training Camp
Valdes-Scantling had a difficult start after joining the Seahawks, noting that he struggled with sleep the first week of training camp and after playing in the Pacific Time Zone for the first time in his career.
“It was a change going from living in Florida all the way to the West Coast, the very top of the United States,’’ he said, via the Seattle Times. “Now I’m here and got my feet under me and now I can be the player I want to be.’’
Despite the struggles, Valdes-Scantling had been widely expected to earn a roster spot after some offseason changes at wide receiver. The Seahawks parted ways with Tyler Lockett and traded DK Metcalf, creating some space in the depth chart.
Valdes-Scantling had a slow start to his 2024 season, making just two receptions for 26 yards in six appearances with the Buffalo Bills. He was cut to make room for Amari Cooper on the roster and signed with the New Orleans Saints, where he moved into a bigger role. Valdes-Scantling went on to make 17 receptions for 385 yards and four touchdowns in eight games.
SI.com’s Connor Benintendi predicted that Valdes-Scantling would make Seattle’s final roster, though he could end up fighting for targets with fifth-round draft pick Tory Horton.
“This version of Seattle’s offense reflects the meteoric rise of Tory Horton, who slots in as Seattle’s third wide receiver ahead of Marquez Valdes-Scantling,” Benintendi wrote. “He also handles kick and punt return duties alongside Cody White or George Holani. Horton has been the most impressive unproven pass-catcher we’ve seen this offseason, and this represents that.”
Valdes-Scantling is not subject to waivers and is free to sign with any NFL team. He could be a candidate to return to the Seahawks to serve on the practice squad.
Seahawks Cut Ties With Veteran WR in $4 Million Move