Marquez Valdes-Scantling: Aaron Rodgers 'is one of the greatest teammates you'll ever find'
Now that the Chiefs have released him, Marquez Valdes-Scantling is looking for a new team. And he’d have no problem playing with his old quarterback, Aaron Rodgers.
Valdes-Scantling recently appeared on the Zach Gelb Show. And while the receiver didn’t want to comment on whether he’s spoken with the Jets about a roster spot, he did laud Aaron Rodgers. The two played together from 2018 through 2021. Then Valdes-Scantling moved on to Kansas City. Meanwhile, Rodgers left Green Bay for New York last year.
Rodgers did miss all but the first four offensive snaps of last season. However, the quarterback has recovered from a ruptured Achilles and is readying for his second season with the Jets.
Valdes-Scantling revealed a very tender, nurturing side of Aaron Rodgers during his interview.
“Aaron has taught me so much stuff, you know, on the field and off the field,” the receiver said. “He’s a big advocate of just … your mental health and how you approach … even just football. And the things that he’s gone through over the years, he shares that and kind of just lets you know … ‘Hey, I’m human, too. I may throw this football really, really well. But I’m human, too. And, you know, I have bad days. I have good days.’ And just for him to be able to open that up and be a great friend to me, not even just a teammate, but a great friend to me. I’m forever indebted to him.”
Valdes-Scantling shared more about the quarterback. “He’s one of the guys that texts me (and says), ‘Hey, I’m proud of you,’ even if it’s completely random. ‘Just hey, I appreciate you, love you, bro.’ I haven’t been a teammate (of his) in two or three years now. And we still have that same relationship.”
.@MVS__11 says @AaronRodgers12 is one of the greatest teammates he’s ever had and makes it clear that Aaron Rodgers cares more about his teammates than the actual game of football itself. @CBSSportsRadio
— Zach Gelb (@ZachGelb) April 4, 2024
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Talk about fortunate: Valdes-Scantling’s only two quarterbacks are Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes
Valdes-Scantling has played with both Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes, two of the best quarterbacks in league history. But he is actively looking for a new team. He’s not coming off a good season, so his NFL value likely is down. The receiver caught a career-low 21 passes for 315 yards in the regular season. He also caught a touchdown in the Super Bowl to help the Chiefs beat the 49ers.
Despite his production being down, Valdes-Scantling always will be a scary deep threat so defenses have to pay attention to where he is on the field. After all, this is the receiver who averaged nearly 21 yards a catch back in 2020. That average led all receivers in the NFL.
Aaron Rodgers already has former Packer Allen Lazard with him on the Jets. So maybe he can talk to management about adding another.