Steelers Now
CLEVELAND — Aaron Rodgers loves Marquez Valdes-Scantling. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback giddily said so when the receiver, Rodgers’ former Green Bay Packers teammate, switched into black and gold last month.
In Valdes-Scantling, Rodgers was getting a target with ample professional experience, unlike, say, Roman Wilson. That appreciation might never be more evident than it was as time wound down in Sunday afternoon’s road loss to the Cleveland Browns. The Steelers trailed 13-6 with 29 seconds to go, but had the chance to strike.
On second-and-goal from the Browns’ 7-yard line, Rodgers worked from an empty set, while Valdes-Scantling lined up as the receiver nearest to the sideline, albeit inside the numbers. Valdes-Scantling started to his right before cutting back inside and boxing Browns cornerback Denzel Ward out. It appeared that Rodgers thought his wideout was going to continue inside, and his offering smacked off Ward, who dove to try to snatch it.
The next play, Valdes-Scantling ran a fade, and Rodgers threw it low and inside, an apparent miscommunication. On fourth-and-the-ball-game, the veteran quarterback entrusted Valdes-Scantling once more, with the jump ball slicing through the air between his hands.
Afterward, Ward mockingly referred to Rodgers’ choice to test him with Valdes-Scantling as a “bright idea.” Rodgers’ history with Valdes-Scantling certainly factored into the decision.
“Obviously, me and him have a really good rapport,” Valdes-Scantling said when asked if he had a feeling the ball was going his way on fourth down. “We just couldn’t connect a couple times down the field today, and that sucks.”
Valdes-Scantling was targeted nine times during the contest. He only brought down three.
Rodgers must work with what he’s been given. It would be pretty fitting if the Steelers miss out on the postseason because they didn’t have much receiving talent other than DK Metcalf, who sat home while serving the first half of his two-game suspension for an interaction with a fan in Detroit. It’s been just as glaring this season, after Mike Tomlin’s team swapped Metcalf in for George Pickens.
With Metcalf out until the playoffs — if the Steelers make them — tailback Kenneth Gainwell will finish as the team’s receptions leader.
Scotty Miller, Adam Thielen and Valdes-Scantling are all closer to being out of football than they are earning All-Pro status. Valdes-Scantling is on his third team just this season. Thielen is likely hanging his cleats up when the campaign is through. Wilson, a former third-round pick, has become an afterthought in the attack.
Even Pat Freiermuth, whose consecutive catches helped the Steelers get into scoring position in the first place, has watched his role diminish in the same room as Darnell Washington, Jonnu Smith and Connor Heyward.
Rodgers said in his post-game press conference that he thought Ward’s effort was “definitely interference.” Meanwhile, Gainwell chipped Myles Garrett — who was hellbent on rewriting the single-season sacks record — and released upfield. Had Rodgers looked his way, the pass almost certainly wouldn’t have gone to Valdes-Scantling.
“He had eligibles on the...
