Report: Steelers Bring Back Veteran WR For Another Aaron Rodgers Reunion

The Pittsburgh Steelers suddenly find themselves searching for help at wide receiver after injuries have taken a major toll on the position. With Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson both sidelined, Pittsburgh is turning to a familiar veteran who already has experience catching passes from its quarterback.

Veteran wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling plans to sign with the Steelers, according to The Athletic. The expectation is that the 31-year-old will initially join Pittsburgh's practice squad, reuniting him with Aaron Rodgers for the second consecutive season in Pittsburgh.

The move comes shortly after Valdes-Scantling was released by the Los Angeles Chargers. He appeared in three games for Los Angeles this season, catching two passes for 22 yards before returning to the open market.

Valdes-Scantling's return also gives Pittsburgh someone who already understands what it is like to arrive in the middle of a season and quickly work his way into the offense. The Steelers first signed him to their practice squad in November of 2025 after he had spent time with the San Francisco 49ers earlier that year. He eventually earned his way onto the active roster and appeared in five regular-season games for Pittsburgh.

His production was not overwhelming, but he still gave the Steelers another experienced option in the passing game. Valdes-Scantling caught 10 passes for 80 yards and one touchdown during the 2025 regular season. He also remained involved when Pittsburgh reached the postseason, catching three passes for 26 yards in the Steelers' playoff game.

That previous experience could make this reunion much easier than bringing in a completely unfamiliar receiver. Pittsburgh already knows what Valdes-Scantling can provide, while the veteran has experience working with the organization's terminology and several of the same players around him.

There is also little mystery surrounding his relationship with Rodgers. Valdes-Scantling spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Green Bay Packers after being selected in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Rodgers was his quarterback throughout that entire stretch, giving the two years of experience together long before either player eventually landed in Pittsburgh.

That familiarity has always been one of Valdes-Scantling's biggest advantages. He has built much of his career around his ability to stretch the field vertically, and Rodgers has already spent years learning how to take advantage of that speed. Even if Valdes-Scantling initially begins on the practice squad, the Steelers should not need to spend much time figuring out whether the veteran can function with their quarterback.

Steelers Give Rodgers Another Familiar Target

Valdes-Scantling already knows what it is like to arrive in Pittsburgh during the middle of a season. He joined the Steelers' practice squad in November of 2025 before eventually earning an opportunity on the active roster.

The timing of the reunion is what makes the move especially logical for Pittsburgh. Pittman Jr. is currently on Injured Reserve with a foot injury, while Wilson has also been unavailable after suffering a dislocated finger. Pittsburgh has already been forced to lean more heavily on the remaining healthy members of its receiver room.

That included rookie Germie Bernard, who recently took on a much larger role as Pittsburgh's receiver injuries continued piling up. Bernard responded with six catches for 80 yards against Indianapolis, giving the Steelers another player they can trust alongside DK Metcalf.

Valdes-Scantling should not be expected to suddenly become one of Pittsburgh's featured receivers. That is not what the Steelers need from him. His value comes from giving Rodgers another veteran who understands how he wants routes run and can provide a legitimate vertical threat when Pittsburgh wants to stretch a defense.

The practice squad also gives the Steelers flexibility. They can get Valdes-Scantling reacclimated to the offense without immediately having to carve out a permanent role on game day. If the injuries at receiver continue, Pittsburgh will have an experienced player available who has already shown he can step into the lineup on short notice.

That matters even more because the Steelers were already looking around the league for receiver help before Valdes-Scantling became available. Pittsburgh had recently been connected to several possible additions as its depth continued shrinking. The Chargers releasing a player who already has a relationship with Rodgers gave the Steelers a much simpler option.

Valdes-Scantling may only be beginning on the practice squad, but his history with Rodgers and Pittsburgh gives him a realistic path back onto the active roster. If the Steelers need another receiver over the next several weeks, there will be very little learning curve involved.

His familiarity with Rodgers goes back much further. The two spent four seasons together with the Green Bay Packers before reuniting in Pittsburgh last year.

With Pittsburgh currently dealing with significant injuries at receiver, Valdes-Scantling gives the Steelers an experienced option who should not need much time to develop chemistry with Rodgers.

#SteelerNation