Packers 2022 free agency profile: Should MVS be re-signed?
Changes could be on the way at wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers.
With the combination of limited salary cap room along with a number of the top receivers on the team hitting free agency, it’s impossible for there to not be some change.
Among those free-agent receivers is Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
Will MVS be back in 2022?
Why the Packers re-sign Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Don’t underestimate the importance of Valdes-Scantling to Matt LaFleur’s offense. With his speed and deep-threat ability, defenses always have to be prepared for a big play. When MVS is on the field, it helps everyone else.
Not to mention that MVS is a game-changer. He’s the only receiver in the Packers’ offense who can break free wide open and score a touchdown on the opening snap of a possession, as he did on a 75-yard touchdown catch versus the Minnesota Vikings.
Valdes-Scantling averaged 16.5 yards per reception this season and a league-best 20.9 yards per catch in 2020.
He has also worked hard to improve his game. Drops were an issue as MVS had 15 in his first three seasons, including seven in 2020. Zero — that’s the number of drops he had this season.
Spotrac projects Valdes-Scantling’s market value to be a three-year deal worth $26.38 million, which is $8.7 million a year.
The Packers can make that work given his importance to this offense.
Why the Packers don’t re-sign Marquez Valdes-Scantling
While MVS had a lot of success working with Aaron Rodgers, if the team is turned over to Jordan Love in 2022, perhaps the Packers decide to start over.
Another thing we have to bear in mind is that, with limited cap space, the Packers might only be able to bring back one or two of their free-agent receivers.
Allen Lazard is a restricted free agent so there has to be a good chance he remains in Green Bay. Now, what if the Packers pay Davante Adams? It might then become too difficult to also re-sign Valdes-Scantling.
Green Bay will have to make some tough decisions on who not to re-sign. It’s possible Valdes-Scantling is one of them.