Cowboys Sign Veteran WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling to One-Year Deal

By Daniel Richardson, Editor-in-Chief

DALLAS — The Dallas Cowboys have added another veteran presence to their receiving corps, signing wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling to a one-year contract, the team confirmed Monday.

The move comes as Dallas continues to reshape its offensive weapons ahead of the 2026 NFL season. Valdes-Scantling, 31, brings a decade of league experience and a reputation for big-play ability to a Cowboys offense that already features stars like CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens.

What We Know About the Deal

The one-year agreement was first reported by NFL insider Tom Pelissero, whose tweet included a confirmation from a team source:

Veteran WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling is signing a one-year deal with the Cowboys, per source. pic.twitter.com/JULWXtWKmG

&mdash. Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 27, 2026

The Cowboys have not yet announced the financial terms of the contract, but one-year veteran deals typically carry base values in the $1.2–$1.5 million range with minimal guarantees, according to league sources familiar with the market.

Valdes-Scantling’s NFL Journey

Selected in the fifth round (174th overall) by the Green Bay Packers in the 2018 NFL Draft, Valdes-Scantling has played for six different franchises over his nine-year career. His most productive season came in 2020 with Green Bay, when he posted career highs with 33 receptions for 690 yards and six touchdowns.

In 116 regular-season games, Valdes-Scantling has compiled 219 receptions for 3,686 yards and 21 touchdowns. His career average of 16.8 yards per catch ranks 12th among active receivers with at least 100 catches, per Pro Football Reference.

Last season with the San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers, though, Valdes-Scantling saw limited action. He appeared in 10 games but managed just 14 catches for 120 yards and one touchdown. The decline in production raised questions about whether he still had the speed and reliability to contribute at the NFL level.

How He Fits in Dallas

The Cowboys’ receiving depth chart was already crowded before Valdes-Scantling’s arrival. Lamb, the 2023 NFL receiving yards leader, remains the undisputed No. 1 option, while Pickens—acquired in a trade with the Steelers last offseason—has emerged as a dynamic No. 2. Behind them, Dallas also features:

• Ryan Flournoy (2024 draft pick, 4.38-second 40-yard dash)
• KaVontae Turpin (return specialist with 4.27 speed)
• Jonathan Mingo (former second-round pick)

Valdes-Scantling’s role will likely be as a situational deep threat and veteran mentor. His experience in multiple offensive systems—including Kyle Shanahan’s West Coast scheme in San Francisco—could prove valuable as Dallas looks to refine its passing attack under offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer.

“He’s a guy who can stretch the field vertically,” said one NFC offensive coach familiar with Valdes-Scantling’s game. “Even at 31, he still has that burst to get behind safeties. The question is whether he can stay healthy and consistent.”

Recent Roster Moves

The signing comes just weeks after Dallas released veteran wide receiver Martavis Bryant, who had been on the practice squad since November. Bryant, 32, has not played in an NFL game since 2018 due to league suspensions and spent the last two seasons in the Canadian Football League.

The Cowboys have also been linked to free-agent receiver Zay Jones, who visited the team’s facilities earlier this month. Jones, 29, caught 54 passes for 683 yards and two touchdowns with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season.

What’s Next for Dallas

The Cowboys’ offseason roster construction has drawn mixed reviews from analysts. While the team addressed its offensive line in free agency (signing veteran tackle Trent Williams to a two-year extension), questions remain about the receiving corps’ depth and reliability beyond Lamb and Pickens.

Valdes-Scantling’s arrival suggests Dallas is prioritizing experience and versatility as it prepares for a 2026 campaign that many expect to be a “win-now” push. The Cowboys have not advanced past the divisional round of the playoffs since 2022, and owner Jerry Jones has made it clear that another early postseason exit would be unacceptable.

Training camp opens in late July, giving Valdes-Scantling roughly three months to learn the playbook and compete for snaps. His ability to contribute on special teams—where he has 24 career tackles—could be a deciding factor in his playing time.

Key Takeaways

• Contract terms: One-year deal (financial details not disclosed)
• Career stats: 219 receptions, 3,686 yards, 21 TDs in 116 games
• 2025 production: 14 catches, 120 yards, 1 TD in 10 games (49ers/Steelers)
• Role in Dallas: Situational deep threat and veteran mentor
• Roster competition: Competing with Flournoy, Turpin, and Mingo for snaps
• Offseason context: Part of Dallas’ push to add experience after another playoff disappointment

What Fans Should Watch For

Valdes-Scantling’s first opportunity to produce an impression will come during the Cowboys’ mandatory minicamp in June. Here are three things to monitor:

1. Route-running precision: Can he still separate against NFL cornerbacks, or has age caught up to his game?
2. Chemistry with Dak Prescott: The Cowboys’ quarterback has historically thrived with receivers who can win contested catches and create after the catch.
3. Special teams impact: Dallas ranked 22nd in the NFL in punt return average last season. Valdes-Scantling’s speed could facilitate.

The Cowboys open the 2026 regular season on September 7 against the Recent York Giants at AT&T Stadium. Dallas’ full schedule will be released on May 14.

For real-time updates on the Cowboys’ roster moves, follow DallasCowboys.com or check Archysport’s NFL news section.

What do you think of the Cowboys’ latest signing? Will Valdes-Scantling provide the veteran spark Dallas needs, or is this a low-risk flier with limited upside? Share your thoughts in the comments below.