Chiefs wide receiver room takes another hit with latest release

The Chiefs wide receivers were heavily criticized in 2023 after leading the league in dropped passes and it looks like the room is going to get worse before it gets better following the team's latest release.

On Wednesday, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler announced Kansas City is releasing wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who's played a role in helping the team win back-to-back Super Bowls (LVII and LVIII).

The release itself is not surprising as it saves the Chiefs $12M in cap space, but they are losing one of the better wide receivers in what's been an underachieving group.

Since joining Kansas City on a three-year, $30 million deal in 2022, Valdes-Scantling has posted 63 catches for 1,002 yards and three touchdowns.

The move makes wide receiver even more of a priority this offseason and that's saying something since it was likely already near the top of the list.

The Chiefs cap savings will help them do their best to retain defensive tackle Chris Jones and cornerback L'Jarius Sneed, both of whom could hit the open market when free agency begins on March 13 at 4 p.m. ET.

Kansas City is expected to work on a long-term deal with both players and revealed it could tag-and-trade Sneed if the two sides are unable to reach an agreement. Once the team takes care of business with Jones and Sneed, then the focus must shift to wide receiver.

The Chiefs will unlikely be able to make a big splash at the position in free agency with a clear lack of funds, but they could certainly strengthen the room in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Kansas City currently owns the No. 32 pick, and it would not be a surprise if it drafts another playmaker to add to QB Patrick Mahomes' underwhelming arsenal with its first selection.

As for Valdes-Scantling, he should still have some suitors on the open market as a two-time Super Bowl champion and still just 29.