Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling made headlines after his victorious performance in the 2024 Super Bowl. Throughout the season, Valdes-Scantling faced criticism from both the media and fans. Despite being the highest-paid wide receiver for the Chiefs in the 2023 campaign, he only managed to catch 21 passes for 315 yards and one touchdown in 16 regular season appearances. This was the worst statistical output of his NFL career, and his reputation was further tarnished by key drops during games.
However, head coach Andy Reid stood by the 29-year-old veteran, and Valdes-Scantling proved his worth when it mattered most. In the 2024 Super Bowl, he made three receptions for 20 yards and scored a touchdown. Additionally, he accumulated 128 receiving yards in the four playoff games, which was a significant improvement compared to his regular season performance.
After the victory against the San Francisco 49ers, Valdes-Scantling had a message for his critics on social media. He posted a picture of himself smoking a victory cigar while wearing a massive Super Bowl LVIII chain around his neck, asking his followers, “What was said again?” This post quickly went viral, receiving approximately 30K likes and over 700K views.
In another post, Valdes-Scantling expressed his belief that nothing can hinder God’s plans. It was truly a memorable night for him, culminating in the iconic moment when he planted the Chiefs flag at the heart of the Las Vegas Raiders’ stadium after the Super Bowl, solidifying their back-to-back championship status.
MVS’s Career with Chiefs: Up and Down Tenure
In the world of football, careers can be full of ups and downs. If we were to describe MVS’s two-year career as a Chief, it would definitely fall into that category. Valdes-Scantling has had his moments of glory, making important catches in big games. It’s worth noting that Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs’ star quarterback, has never hesitated to throw the ball his way in those crucial moments. In fact, the team has even won the Super Bowl during both seasons that MVS has been a part of it.
However, it must be said that Valdes-Scantling has not quite lived up to the expectations set by his three-year, $30 million contract. Many believed that the Chiefs overpaid for him when they signed him in the spring of 2022. Now, the team has a decision to make. They have the option to release him, which would free up $12 million in cap space. Given his inflated $14 million cap hit in year three, it’s clear that KC’s general manager, Brett Veach, cannot afford to keep MVS at his current salary.
The question now is whether the Chiefs will attempt to keep the experienced wideout by agreeing to a pay cut or a cap-lowering extension. Veach will have plenty of money to work with after restructuring Mahomes’ long-term deal. However, his top priorities will be either retaining or finding replacements for key players like DL Chris Jones, DB L’Jarius Sneed, LT Donovan Smith, and DE Mike Danna.
Speaking of Mahomes’ contract, NFL on CBS insider Jonathan Jones has outlined what the Chiefs are expected to save in 2024 after reworking it once again. Currently, Mahomes’ cap hit for that year is $59.8 million, but that number should be adjusted to $58.55 million since he didn’t win the MVP award and miss out on an extra $1.25 million. Regardless of the exact number, it’s certain that the Chiefs will lower Mahomes’ cap hit for 2024 before the start of the new league year in March. A simple contract restructure could save the team around $37 million in cap space, bringing Mahomes’ cap hit for 2024 down to the low 20s.
As for the Chiefs’ current cap hit this spring, it stands at around $24 million. If they were to add the full $37 million in savings from Mahomes’ restructured contract, they would have approximately $61 million in cap space. This, combined with a potential pay cut for MVS and a few other cap-saving moves, would give the Chiefs the financial flexibility they need as they aim for a historic three-peat.
In conclusion, MVS’s career with the Chiefs has been a mixed bag. While he has had his moments of brilliance, he has not fully lived up to his contract. The team now faces a decision on whether to keep him or let him go. With potential cap savings from Mahomes’ restructured contract and other moves, the Chiefs could have the financial flexibility to make the right choices for their future success.
According to the Source heavy.com