Marquez Valdes-Scantling is now looking for a new home.
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The Kansas City Chiefs have some high-priced impending free agents to try to retain, and Wednesday released one of the offense's most explosive weapons to create cap space to help keep the likes of cornerback L'Jarius Sneed and defensive lineman Chris Jones in tow.
Wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling was given his walking papers, after two seasons, which will create an additional $12 million in spending flexibility under the salary cap for general manager Brett Veach and the Chiefs.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler shared the news via X.
Source: #Chiefs are releasing wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
Saves Kansas City $12 million on the cap.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 28, 2024
Valdes-Scantling, 29, hits free agency for the second time in three years on the heels of catching 21 passes for 315 yards with one touchdown in 2023.
Moving on from Valdes-Scantling is likely a parallel move to the Chiefs applying the franchise tag to Sneed, reportedly applying the franchise tag to Sneed, which will carry a $19.8 million one-year deal for the upcoming season. The Chiefs can lower Sneed's cap number by negotiating a long-term deal prior to July 15, but it would have proven difficult to use the tag without releasing Valdes-Scantling.
Wide receiver was a going concern for the Chiefs throughout the 2023 regular season, with Kansas City's wideouts struggling with dropped passes and being able to create consistent separation on the perimeter.
Without Valdes-Scantling, wide receiver likely becomes a more pressing need for the Chiefs both in free agency as well as at the top of the NFL Draft.
Through his first six seasons, Valdes-Scantling has caught 186 passes for 3,155 yards and 16 touchdowns, while averaging 17 yards per reception. During his two seasons in Patrick Mahomes' supporting cast, Valdes-Scantling won a pair of Super Bowl rings after signing a three-year deal worth $30 million with Kansas City.
Now a two-time Super Bowl champion, Valdes-Scantling could see a strong market, especially for teams looking for veteran leadership at receiver.
