SANTA CLARA, CA — Veteran wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling has found his new home, signing a deal with the San Francisco 49ers just days after being released by the Seattle Seahawks. The decision came down to a choice between reuniting with former teammate Aaron Rodgers on the Pittsburgh Steelers and joining the 49ers’ injury-plagued receiving corps.
The Decision Process
Valdes-Scantling told reporters on Thursday, via NBC Sports Bay Area & California, that the choice was a difficult one. “It was between here and Pittsburgh,” he said. “Obviously, I have a good relationship with Aaron Rodgers over there, and he wanted me back over there. So, it was a toss-up, 50/50. I had to weigh my options and see which one I wanted to do, which was going to be better for my career at this point, a1nd I was excited about it.”
He ultimately chose San Francisco due to the familiarity of the offensive system, which he noted was similar to the one he played in with the Seahawks under offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, the brother of 49ers offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak. This familiarity, he said, would allow him to “get onto the field right away.”
Immediate Impact and Future Role
While Valdes-Scantling has initially been signed to the 49ers’ practice squad, his path to the active roster could be immediate. With top receivers Brandon Aiyuk (knee) and Jauan Jennings (contract) facing uncertainty for Week 1, the journeyman wideout could be in line to play right away. The 49ers’ first game of the season will be a familiar one for Valdes-Scantling, as they travel to Seattle to face his former team. The 49ers had previously tried to sign him after his rookie contract with the Green Bay Packers expired, making this a long-sought-after partnership for general manager John Lynch.
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