Bills’ Marquez Valdes-Scantling Losing Ground In Training Camp, Taking Time To Learn Offense

Former Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling is reportedly losing ground at the Buffalo Bills’ training camp. The deep threat receiver signed a one-year, $2.25 million deal with Buffalo in May but is no longer a sure thing to earn a spot on the final roster.

Buffalo signed Valdes-Scantling, a two-time Super Bowl Champion, with the expectation that he could provide quarterback Josh Allen with a dangerous downfield threat. But after starting training camp taking first-team reps, the 29-year-old has tumbled down the depth chart.

The Bills’ receiving core is still finding its way after Stefon Diggs’ departure, but Valdes-Scantling is still competing with (and reportedly losing out to) rookie Keon Coleman, fellow free agent acquisitions Curtis Samuel and Chase Claypool, and veterans Khalil Shakir and Mack Hollins. Young tight end Dalton Kincaid is also shaping up for a career season, while veteran Dawson Knox remains an option.

Despite Valdes-Scantling’s dio to second- and third-team status, Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady said Tuesday that the team was simply taking more time to teach the offense to the veteran receiver.

“One of your older guys, he’s going down there with some of the rookies, but it has nothing to do with performance,” Brady told reporters. “It’s more of, like, I want to make sure you get these plays and you’re getting enough time on task to be able to feel it and roll.”

While Valdes-Scantling’s stock is in an uncertain state, young receiver Tyrell Shavers is on the rise and is reportedly getting more first-team reps than many expected. Shavers, who went undrafted in 2023 out of San Diego State, has been treading water on the Bills’ practice squad for the past year but is currently having a breakout summer in training camp. He remains a long shot to make the roster but is turning heads going into the preseason.

Article by Patrick Moquin