Dallas Cowboys Terminate Contract of Explosive Deep Threat

The Dallas Cowboys are releasing veteran wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, according to multiple reports Sunday, ending a brief chapter for the two-time Super Bowl champion on the roster.

Valdes-Scantling signed a one-year contract with Dallas in late April as the team sought depth behind CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. The move came after the NFL draft as the Cowboys looked to bolster their receiving corps with experienced options.

At 31, the 6-foot-4 receiver brought proven speed and a history of stretching the field. He had competed for a roster spot during training camp and the preseason, providing a veteran presence in meetings and practices.

Cowboys fans may not have seen him make a significant impact in team colors, but his arrival carried the weight of a well-traveled career that began as a fifth-round pick of the Green Bay Packers in 2018.

In four seasons with Green Bay, Valdes-Scantling recorded 123 receptions for 2,153 yards and 13 touchdowns. His 2020 campaign stood out, when he posted 33 catches for 690 yards and six scores while averaging an NFL-best 20.9 yards per reception.

That big-play ability followed him to the Kansas City Chiefs, where he contributed to consecutive Super Bowl victories in LVII and LVIII. Over two seasons with Patrick Mahomes, he totaled 63 receptions for 1,002 yards and three touchdowns, including productive postseason stretches.

Subsequent seasons saw him move frequently. In 2024, he split time between the Buffalo Bills and New Orleans Saints, finishing with 19 receptions for 411 yards and four touchdowns. His time in New Orleans was particularly efficient, averaging 22.6 yards per catch.

Last season, Valdes-Scantling appeared in 10 games for the San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers, catching 14 passes for 120 yards and one touchdown. Through the end of 2025, his career totals stood at 219 receptions for 3,686 yards and 21 touchdowns across 116 games, with a career average of 16.8 yards per reception.

Dallas signed him for that vertical threat potential and championship experience. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and the coaching staff valued the depth he offered while evaluating younger options and return specialists such as KaVontae Turpin and Ryan Flournoy.

Roster decisions ahead of the final cutdown left limited room. With established starters and additional competition at the position, the Cowboys elected to part ways with Valdes-Scantling as they finalize the 53-man roster for the 2026 season.

The release does not diminish the résumé he built over eight previous NFL campaigns. From his early development alongside Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay to the rings earned in Kansas City, Valdes-Scantling consistently provided a deep-ball option that forced defenses to account for the entire field.

For Cowboys supporters tracking the final roster moves, the transaction represents one of several adjustments as the team prepares for Week 1. Valdes-Scantling’s next destination remains unclear, but his track record suggests opportunities may still exist for a receiver with his combination of size, speed and postseason experience.

In a league that values proven veterans who can contribute immediately in specific packages, the numbers he has posted over the years continue to speak for themselves. Dallas benefited from his presence in camp even if the regular-season partnership never materialized.