Steelers Reportedly Not Impressed With New Wide Receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling

The Pittsburgh Steelers deployed some new faces into the lineup last Sunday against the division rival Baltimore Ravens in Week 14. The Steelers scratched second-year wide receiver Roman Wilson in favor of newcomers Marquez Valdes-Scantling (who was signed to the practice squad on November 4, 2025), and Adam Thielen (who was claimed off waivers on Tuesday, December 2, 2025). This came as a shock, as Valdes-Scantling had been signed for over a month and had yet to be elevated to the active 53-man roster, while Thielen had just been claimed the Tuesday before a game against Baltimore. 

Both receivers saw their fair share of snaps. Thielen logged 25, while Valdes-Scantling logged 16. Not bad for Thielen, who's been with the team for all of five days. On the other hand, the Steelers reportedly were not impressed with Valdes-Scantling. Steelers insider Gerry Dulac, on his Steelers chat transcript, had much to say about Valdes-Scantling recently.

"I don't think MVS [Marques Valdes-Scantling] convinced anyone who matters that he needs to play," said Dulac.

The Steelers' wide receiver situation has been very anticlimactic the last two seasons. They have not been able to acquire a viable No. 2 wide receiver since the team traded away Diontae Johnson after the 2023 season. They have had the likes of Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, and Roman Wilson try to fill that role of late. None has worked out the way the team had hoped. 

Jefferson is no longer with the team, Wilson was recently a healthy scratch, and Austin has had injury issues in 2025 that have slowed his progress. The team has had to lean on running back Kenneth Gainwell and big tight end Darnell Washington, but those two haven't been enough at times. While Austin is still the team's No. 2 receiver on the latest depth chart, he was out-snapped by Thielen in the team's win against the Ravens.

"Conversely, I think you will see Adam Thielen more involved," Dulac continued. "On the play where [Aaron] Rodgers' pass was batted back to him, he was going downfield to Thielen, who was wide open for a touchdown."

The Steelers signed Valdes-Scantling just before the 2025 NFL trade deadline. They did not make any trades for a wide receiver, as many fans had hoped. That does raise concerns about Valdes-Scantling and his future playability however, seeing as how he's just recently been called up to the active roster. He only saw one target on a third down late in the game against the Ravens. 

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Valdes-Scantling were long-time teammates during their time with the Green Bay Packers. Rodgers was a significant factor in getting Valdes-Scantling to Pittsburgh. The two were thought to have built-in chemistry when the receiver signed in November, but it doesn't look like that is the case so far.

Will Steelers' Roman Wilson Play Again In 2025?

Wilson was a healthy scratch in Week 14 in favor of veteran receivers Thielen and Valdes-Scantling as mentioned. This season, Wilson has caught 12 receptions for 166 yards and two touchdowns. The stats certainly don't jump out, but Wilson is the team's best route runner. It's clear that Wilson and Rodgers haven't been able to consistently be on the same page yet in 2025. The two have missed multiple deep balls now, with Wilson burning the defender. So, does he play again this season?

The answer is most likely no. Wilson was only active for one game as a rookie, as he suffered ankle and hamstring injuries. The team could have activated him late last season, but ultimately decided to roll with Mike Williams and Jefferson. Considering that those two are no longer with the team, it's hard to imagine they trust Wilson now, especially with the lack of chemistry with the quarterback and the additions of Thielen and Valdes-Scantling. Head Coach Mike Tomlin was also recently asked in his Tuesday press conference why Wilson was inactive in favor of journeyman wide receiver Scotty Miller. 

"Scotty's a capable back-up punt returner and I thought that was the difference," Tomlin explained.

What do you think? Will Valdes-Scantling keep playing? Should Wilson play from now on? Let us know in the comments. 

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