PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It was discussed early in camp and also earlier this week, but still receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling has not signed with the Steelers. It was to the point where Valdes-Scantling worked out in Pittsburgh on Monday. Yet he is still not wearing black and gold.
Released by the 49ers on October 18 after playing five games with them this year, Valdes-Scantling remains unsigned even with a connection with Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers as the two were teammates with Green Bay for four seasons.
“I think MVS wants to be on an active roster,” Rodgers said Wednesday. “So, if there wasn't an opportunity here for that, then I guess he's waiting for something else. I don't fault him.”
He didn’t say that as if Rodgers were speaking for the organization, but it makes sense that not only would he want an active roster spot, but maybe would wait until after the NFL Trade Deadline Tuesday at 4p to see what teams didn’t get a player they wanted.
When the 6’4” Valdes-Scantling was with Rodgers, he caught 123 passes for 2,153 yards with a 17.5 yards per reception and 13 touchdowns. He led the NFL in their third season together in 2020 with a 20.9 yards per catch and 27 of his 33 receptions went for a first down.
“I love MVS,” Rodgers said. “I've always enjoyed playing with him. He's one of my favorite teammates of all time. He is a really special guy, and I think MVS can still really play. You saw last year when he was in New Orleans, he had opportunities. He had a lot of big touchdowns. He can still run.”
In his second game with the Saints after joining them in Week 9 in 2024, Valdes-Scantling had three catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Atlanta. The next week he caught two passes for 87 yards and a touchdown beating Cleveland. In Week 14, he had two catches for 64 yards in a one-point loss to Washington.
There was praise by Rodgers for current Steelers receiver Roman Wilson, who had a career-high 74 yards and his first touchdown against the Packers and Calvin Austin, who played in his first game back from injury. It doesn’t mean he doesn’t like his old teammate, who is now 31-years-old.
“I loved MVS, and whether he's here or somewhere else, I'm always pulling for him,” Rodgers said.