Innovation is the name of the game in today’s NFL, and Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan has made that philosophy clear.
Khan's been aggressive, bold, and unafraid to shake things up in an effort to keep Pittsburgh competitive in a stacked AFC North. But sometimes, innovation can blur into desperation — and the Steelers’ reported plan to sign eight-year veteran wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling feels like one of those moments.
According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, the Steelers are expected to bring in Valdes-Scantling to bolster their receiving corps. MVS will begin on Pittsburgh's practice squad, but could soon work his way up the depth chart.
On paper, it looks like a move to patch a glaring hole left in the wake of George Pickens’ departure earlier this season — a move that many fans, myself included, still can’t quite wrap their heads around.
Pickens’ breakout campaign with his new team has only made the decision look more questionable, bordering on front-office malpractice.
Since then, Pittsburgh has been searching for an identity at the secondary wide receiver position. Calvin Austin III has flashed potential in spurts but hasn’t been consistent enough to carry a full-time workload. Rookie Roman Wilson, while promising, is still learning the speed and physicality of the league.
Together, they’ve struggled to fill the void, leaving DK Metcalf as the lone reliable target in Arthur Smith’s offense.
And while Metcalf’s 461 receiving yards and five touchdowns through eight weeks are commendable, he simply can’t do it alone.
Marquez Valding-Scantling is not the answer the Pittsburgh Steelers need to survive the regular season
The Steelers need another playmaker to stretch defenses, take pressure off Metcalf, and give veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers the flexibility to push the ball downfield. That’s where Valdes-Scantling comes in — at least in theory.
The problem is, we’ve seen this story before.
Valdes-Scantling, now 29, has had moments of brilliance throughout his career — namely his deep-ball chemistry with Rodgers during their time together in Green Bay. He’s amassed 3,606 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns over eight seasons, flashing his trademark speed and vertical ability.
But just as often, he’s vanished for long stretches, battling inconsistency and a frustrating tendency to disappear when his team needs him most. That inconsistency is exactly what Pittsburgh can’t afford right now.
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The Steelers’ offense already suffers from a lack of rhythm and reliability. Arthur Smith’s system depends heavily on timing and precision — traits that have never been Valdes-Scantling’s strong suit. Plugging him into an offense still trying to find its identity feels less like a calculated solution and more like a “why not?” experiment.
I’ll admit, there’s a small part of me that hopes this move surprises everyone. Maybe Rodgers rekindles that old connection, maybe Valdes-Scantling’s speed opens up the offense, and maybe this all clicks in a way no one saw coming. But realism tells a different story. Eight years into his career, we know who Marquez Valdes-Scantling is — a capable role player, not a difference-maker.
So yes, I applaud the front office for at least trying to address the issue. Doing nothing would’ve been worse. But if the Steelers think this is the move that elevates them back into contention, I fear they’re in for disappointment.
In the end, this signing feels less like innovation and more like improvisation — the kind of move teams make when they’re out of answers. And for a franchise built on stability and vision, that’s a dangerous sign.