Not even hours after Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy expressed confidence in his wide receiver room, the Steelers are adding to it. I don’t think this move will change the outlook for an offense that still needs a third reliable target for quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

McCarthy said during his press conference Monday afternoon that he is comfortable with the group Pittsburgh has between the active roster and the practice squad. He also left the door open for the front office to add someone.

“I believe in the 68 guys that we have in the building, but I’m not blind or naive to the other men that are out there. You’re always looking, and that’s Omar’s job.”

Well, it turns out that general manager Omar Khan’s job, McCarthy’s job, and Rodgers’ job all seem to point toward a reunion.

Steelers bring back Marquez Valdes-Scantling

The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo was first to report that the Steelers are signing wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling. That’s right, the veteran is headed back to Pittsburgh.

The expectation is the 31-year-old will begin on the practice squad.

This marks the second year in a row that Valdes-Scantling has reunited with Rodgers in Pittsburgh. He also has history with McCarthy, and that rapport counts for something. Still, I have to be honest with you. This signing doesn’t do a whole lot for me.

Valdes-Scantling has bounced around the league for the better half of a decade. He knows the system, and he knows the quarterback. But he is not the type of player who changes what a defense has to account for every Sunday.

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The Steelers need more than DK Metcalf and Germie Bernard

I understand that DK Metcalf and Germie Bernard had incredible games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That production was real, and it deserves credit.

However, Pittsburgh can’t live and die with those two players each and every week in 11 personnel. Defenses will adjust, and the Steelers will need a third weapon who demands attention. Apparently, the front office believes that third weapon can be a 31-year-old Valdes-Scantling.

The real problem, in my opinion, is that this offense needs an influx of young, up-and-coming speed and talent. A veteran on the practice squad doesn’t check that box.

Why Brian Thomas Jr. makes far more sense

That’s what makes this move so underwhelming. Multiple trade candidates are out there, including Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.

We ran a trade for Thomas through the brand-new A to Z Sports NFL trade simulator. In that scenario, the Steelers send a 2028 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick to Jacksonville in exchange for Thomas. I believe the Jaguars would run with that deal.

I can’t say exactly why the last two years have gone wrong for Thomas. But his rookie year speaks for itself. He was a Pro Bowler and a borderline All-Pro, with more than 1,000 receiving yards and double-digit touchdowns. He was incredible, and that is the type of upside Pittsburgh lacks at the position.

To be fair, signing Valdes-Scantling doesn’t prevent the Steelers from making another move. Khan could still be working the phones. But as the wide receiver room stands right now, this addition feels like a depth move dressed up as an answer.

Grading the Marquez Valdes-Scantling signing

If I have to grade this signing for the Steelers, I’m giving it a big, fat C. It’s as average as the day is long.

The connection with Rodgers and McCarthy is clear, and I understand why Pittsburgh values that familiarity. We’ll see how quickly Valdes-Scantling gets elevated from the practice squad, if at all.

The bottom line is that this signing doesn’t move the needle for me, and it doesn’t move it much for the Steelers either. If Pittsburgh wants to keep pace offensively, a bigger swing at wide receiver still needs to happen.