(Kansas City) The Kansas City Chiefs are reportedly close to releasing wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday, allowing the Super Bowl champions to gain some flexibility in terms of team payroll.
This person requested anonymity to speak with the AP because the Chiefs have yet to confirm anything. This decision would allow them to save 12 million US dollars, an amount which could be used to strengthen their attack or even secure the services of star defensive players Chris Jones and L’Jarius Sneed next season.
The Chiefs signed Valdes-Scantling to a three-year, $30 million contract two years ago in hopes he could provide an additional option for quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the deep end. The former Green Bay Packers wide receiver has certainly had some good moments, including catching a touchdown pass during the last Super Bowl, but he has especially attracted attention for his numerous dropped passes. He never really met the expectations of the Chiefs.
He caught 42 passes for 687 yards and two touchdowns in 2022, and was limited to 21 catches for 315 yards and a touchdown last season.
The Chiefs will renovate their stadium after 2026
On the other hand, the Chiefs have indicated that they are planning a renovation plan for Arrowhead Stadium, at a cost of 800 million. Work on their home, the third oldest in the league, would begin after the 2026 Men’s Soccer World Cup matches and would take place over four years.
The plan, however, would be conditional on the renewal of a three-eighths-cent tax imposed on voters in Jackson County, Missouri, on April 2. This money was previously used to maintain Arrowhead Stadium and nearby Kauffman Stadium. The latter is the home of the Kansas City Royals, although the Major League club plans to vacate it before its rental lease expires after the conclusion of the 2030 season.
PHOTO REED HOFFMANN, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
Arrowhead Stadium
“We would not want to sign a new 25-year lease without the necessary financing to renovate and redevelop the stadium,” admitted Chiefs president Clark Hunt, whose family plans to pay 300 million for the completion of the project. As a result, the financial package is very important to us, to ensure that we have enough funds to accomplish everything we want. »
The scope of the renovation project, which was revealed during a press conference Wednesday at Arrowhead Stadium, would touch every area of the 52-year-old building, from the seats in the stands to the refreshment of the luxury boxes and reconfiguration of the parking lot to improve the experience of the famous “tailgate parties”.