Chiefs to release veteran WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs will be releasing veteran receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, a source confirmed to The Kansas City Star.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler first reported the news Wednesday morning.

The Chiefs will save $12 million in salary cap room by releasing Valdes-Scantling. General manager Brett Veach reiterated Tuesday at the NFL combine that the team’s two top offseason priorities were working to re-sign defensive lineman Chris Jones and cornerback L’Jarius Sneed.

Valdes-Scantling had inconsistent production in his previous two seasons with the Chiefs but always seemed to emerge in the biggest of moments. In 2022 — when the Chiefs faced significant injuries at receiver — ValdesScantling had six catches for 116 yards in an overtime win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

This year, he proved clutch again. He had the game-sealing catch in KC’s AFC championship win over the Baltimore Ravens, then brought in a 16-yard touchdown reception in the team’s Super Bowl LVIII win over the San Francisco 49ers.

Valdes-Scantling, 29, was primarily utilized as a field stretcher for the Chiefs. He had 21 catches for 315 yards in the 2023 regular season while playing 16 games.

Chiefs rookie Rashee Rice also frequently credited ValdesScantling for providing leadership as he transitioned to the NFL this past season.

KC will likely address the receiver position this offseason through the draft or free agency. The Chiefs own the 32nd pick in the NFL draft and struggled with drops most of last season.