The Seattle Seahawks are looking to get back to glory days, and they’ve chosen Sam Darnold to lead the offense from the 2025 NFL season. The quarterback is already getting help for next year, with the front office landing a player who used to catch passes from Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes.
On Wednesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported that wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling is joining the Seahawks on a one-year contract worth up to $5.5 million.
Valdes-Scantling, who turns 31 in October, spent four fruitful years alongside Rodgers on the Green Bay Packers, who drafted him in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, before spending two seasons with Mahomes on the Kansas City Chiefs.
Valdes-Scantling’s experience with Rodgers, Mahomes
Valdes-Scantling proved a useful weapon for Rodgers in Green Bay, recording 123 catches for 2,153 yards with 13 touchdowns in 59 appearances (39 starts). When his rookie deal expired in 2022, the wideout landed a three-year, $30 million deal with the Chiefs.
Though he couldn’t establish himself as the No. 1 wide receiver, Valdes-Scantling still became a dependable alternative for Mahomes in the passing game. In 33 games in Kansas City (21 starts), he caught 63 passes for 1,0002 yards and three touchdowns. Most notably, he contributed with three receiving touchdowns in seven playoff appearances, helping the Chiefs win Super Bowls LVII and LVIII.
An opportunity to bounce back with Darnold in Seattle
The Seahawks are giving Valdes-Scantling an opportunity to revitalize his career after a complicated 2024 NFL season for the wideout. His move to the Buffalo Bills last year didn’t go to plan, as the player only got to catch two passes for 26 yards before being cut after the Amari Cooper trade.
It didn’t take him long to find a new home, with the New Orleans Saints acquiring the wide receiver’s services only a few days after his release. While the Saints left a lot to be desired last season, Valdes-Scantling had a breakout game in Week 10 against the Atlanta Falcons, logging three catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns.
In the end, he finished the 2024 season with 19 receptions for 411 yards and four touchdowns. Now, it will be interesting to see whether he becomes the reliable weapon Darnold needs in his new team.
A new era for the Seahawks
The Seahawks made a big decision by trading Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders before pursuing Darnold in free agency, hoping that the latter keeps up with the level shown on the Minnesota Vikings in 2024.
The former first-round pick won’t count on star wideout DK Metcalf, who was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier in the week. The Seahawks, however, are expected to surround Darnold with talent this offseason. More free agency moves could be on the horizon after Valdes-Scantling’s signing, while Seattle’s eight draft picks could also let the team boost the offense.