The Pittsburgh Steelers are not finished looking for help. With the trade deadline approaching and the team battling for position in a crowded AFC playoff race, Pittsburgh continues to evaluate ways to upgrade its roster.
Steelers Sign Aaron Rodgers’ Former Teammate
That search included veteran wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who was scheduled to work out for the team on Monday as the front office explored options to strengthen its receiving corps ahead of the trade deadline. Pittsburgh decided to sign Valdes-Scantling on the same day.
Valdes-Scantling, 31, was released by the San Francisco 49ers earlier this month after appearing in five games and catching four passes for 40 yards. He had been placed on injured reserve on Oct. 17 and was released the following day with an injury settlement.
Sources: The #Steelers are signing veteran WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling after having him in for a workout.
MVS spent four seasons with the Packers and Aaron Rodgers — while catching 13 TDs. https://t.co/xeAychJUkZ pic.twitter.com/f7CLPRJO1T
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 27, 2025
The former fifth-round pick out of South Florida spent his first four seasons with the Green Bay Packers, where he developed a strong rapport with current Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. From 2018 to 2021, Valdes-Scantling totaled 123 receptions for 2,153 yards and 13 touchdowns, including a career-best 690 yards and six scores in 2020.
Since leaving Green Bay, Valdes-Scantling has bounced around the league, including stops with the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks, and 49ers. He won two Super Bowls with Kansas City and caught four touchdowns for New Orleans in 2024.
The Steelers’ interest in Valdes-Scantling came amid ongoing efforts to add depth and experience to a young receiving group. Second-year wideout Roman Wilson is coming off his best performance as a pro, with four receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown, but the team has struggled to find a consistent option across from DK Metcalf.
Pittsburgh’s offense ranks No. 10 in the league with an 81.2 PFSN Offensive Impact Score, but the unit has lacked explosiveness in recent weeks. Rodgers, who joined the Steelers this offseason, is currently ranked QB14 with a 79.9 PFSN QB Impact Score. He threw for 219 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday night’s 35-25 loss to Jordan Love and the Packers.
The Steelers have recently been linked to several trade targets, including Las Vegas’ Jakobi Meyers and New Orleans’ Rashid Shaheed. On Saturday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the Steelers are actively exploring wide receiver additions via trade or free agency.
Valdes-Scantling brings a veteran presence and vertical element to the offense, even if he’s no longer the burner he once was. His familiarity with high-level quarterback play and postseason experience could appeal to a Steelers team in the thick of the AFC playoff race.
Valdes-Scantling has become the latest in a string of midseason additions by general manager Omar Khan, who has shown a willingness to make aggressive moves to address roster needs.
The decision on Valdes-Scantling’s future came shortly after Monday’s workout, with the Steelers facing a pivotal stretch in their schedule. Pittsburgh hosts the 7-1 Indianapolis Colts next, followed by matchups with the Los Angeles Chargers and division rival Cincinnati Bengals.