Steelers Re-Signing Aaron Rodgers' Former WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are reuniting with an old friend. According to The Athletic's Mike DeFabo, the black and gold and bringing back wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling as they try to fill their depleted depth chart.

Valdes-Scantling spent part of the 2025 season with the Steelers, playing in five games with one start. He caught 10 passes for 80 yards and a touchdown while reconnecting with his former Green Bay Packers teammate, Aaron Rodgers.

Now, he's joining his former quarterback for one more season, and signing back to the Steelers as a mid-season savior once again. However, unlike last year, Valdes-Scantling is looking to replace two injured starters instead of walking in as the team was desperate to find anyone who could produce.

Valdez-Scantling will sign to the team's practice squad, but his familiarity to the team and Rodgers should make him a quick call-up to the active roster.

The Steeles have placed wideouts Roman Wilson (finger) and Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) on Injured Reserve over the last two weeks. Pittman Jr. is expected to miss a significant amount of time with his injury, while Wilson is hopeful to return shortly after his four-game milestone is complete.

Ben Skowronek missed Week 5 with a calf injury. It's unknown if he'll miss more time.

Brandon Smith and Brandon Johnson were both called up from the practice squad in Week 5 to fill the gaps. Neither caught a pass, with Smith playing a very limited role offensively and Johnson being a last-resort for Pittsburgh.

So, they'll try to rebuild the group moving forward, and will start with the addition of Valdes Scantling, who will now work alongside DK Metcalf, Germie Bernard and Kaden Wetjen in the wide receiver room.

Valdez-Scantling's Role

The Steelers have two star players in Metcalf and Bernard. Both finished with 11 receptions in Week 5 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and are expected to remain the focal points of the team's passing attack moving forward.

Whenever called up to the active roster, Valdez-Scantling comes into Pittsburgh's offense as a third option in the wide receiver room, and another addition to the passing game. Tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington are amongst the top weapons for Rodgers at the moment, and Valdez-Scantling will likely fill in behind or within that group.

Once Wilson returns from IR, Valdez-Scantling may take a back seat to the third-year speedster and become the fourth wideout on the depth chart.

For now, though, he's a player who can spread the field and who brings plenty of speed and comfort with Rodgers. The two combined for over 2,000 yards and 10 touchdowns during their time in Green Bay together, and will look to have that chemistry again in Rodgers' final season.

Expect Valdez-Scantling to be the last wide receiver move for now. This team may continue to search for options near the trade deadline, but they'll likely give Valdez-Scantling a shot to fill the hole and prove his worth within the offense.

If he does, they will probably wait until Wilson returns from IR and settle with what they have currently at the position.

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