Bills trade for Amari Cooper could lead to another reunion between the Chiefs and a former player
The Buffalo Bills' recent trade to acquire WR Amari Cooper from the Cleveland Browns might impact the Kansas City Chiefs' roster. According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the Bills plan to release former Chiefs WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling in a corresponding move to make room for Cooper. A vested veteran, Valdes-Scantling will immediately become an unrestricted free agent and […]
The Buffalo Bills' recent trade to acquire WR Amari Cooper from the Cleveland Browns might impact the Kansas City Chiefs' roster.
According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the Bills plan to release former Chiefs WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling in a corresponding move to make room for Cooper. A vested veteran, Valdes-Scantling will immediately become an unrestricted free agent and have an opportunity to become the latest player to reunite with the team following in the footsteps of Kareem Hunt, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Mecole Hardman.
Valdes-Scantling joined the Bills this offseason after being a salary-cap casualty for Kansas City ahead of the new league year in March. The 30-year-old wideout appeared in 33 regular season games and seven postseason games with the Chiefs over two seasons. He recorded 78 receptions for 1,252 yards and six touchdowns during that span (combined regular season and postseason). After a tough regular season campaign in 2023 plagued by drops and inconsistency, Valdes-Scantling showed up when it mattered most. He made some big plays in the postseason, leading up to and during the Super Bowl LVIII.
Beyond sheer need at the wide receiver position following injuries to Hollywood Brown and Rashee Rice, there's one big reason that Valdes-Scantling would make a lot of sense in a return to Kansas City. Chiefs HC Andy Reid and GM Brett Veach have recognized the ease and success that former players have seen getting acclimated when they return.
"I think that helped JuJu (Smith-Schuster) and his situation coming back in (and) jumping in," Reid said on Monday. "It helped Mecole (Hardman) coming back, but I’m not telling (you) other guys can’t come in and help out. That’s not – I don’t think that’s an issue. It’s just going to take them a little bit longer to figure it out and get on the same page with Pat (Mahomes) and all of those things. It won’t be quite as what you’ve seen with these other guys that have been here, but that’s – and I’m not saying that we need to bring anybody else in. You asked the question. I’m just saying that I’m answering your question on that."
One reason a reunion with Valdes-Scantling might not make sense for Kansas City? The Chiefs don't particularly need another field-stretching wide receiver to go along with Xavier Worthy, Mecole Hardman, and Justin Watson. They simply might be looking for a different skill set at the receiver position.
Jets trade for Davante Adams paves way for Chiefs to make their own blockbuster deal with New York
It could be time to make a move.
