While a game at Arrowhead Stadium is always a sight to see, one other thing to watch for as you leave the stadium on Sunday could be Marquez Valdes-Scantling walking home along the side of the road.
Maybe the Kansas City Chiefs need another week to "get things cleaned up." So far they've needed 17 weeks. While the offense has definitely looked better on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals than it did a week ago against the Las Vegas Raiders, the truth is that's an awfully low bar to have to clear. And on Sunday, Valdes-Scantling couldn't even do that much.
If you missed the action on Sunday, the Chiefs have had a difficult time handling the visiting Bengals and their franchise quarterback Jake Browning through the first half at least as they currently trail 17-13. Their present position was hindered by Valdes-Scantling, who was targeted twice in the first half and caught one pass for three yards.
As for the catch Valdes-Scantling didn't make, it was an easy catch-and-turn-upfield for a short third-down conversion that could have been a touchdown. Instead it went this way:
MVS is unable to reel in the reception pic.twitter.com/0HHqqfW0XT
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 31, 2023
Yeah, we've seen that film time and again this year. And no, it's not just MVS but as the elder statesman here, Valdes-Scantling is not only the oldest and most experienced player in the room but he's also making the most money. At the very least, the other wide receiver frustrations can partially be blamed upon a lack of reps or chemistry. For MVS, it's just sloppy.
Most of Chiefs Kingdom is wondering why Valdes-Scantling is even out there at all given his lackluster season (that's putting it mildly) as an ineffective target that Mahomes clearly doesn't trust. Check out the calls from the stands for MVS to walk home, so to speak.
A MVS drop … fantastic. That’s why Mahomes doesn’t throw him the ball.
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) December 31, 2023
With issues throughout the Chiefs' offense, you cannot overstate how poor this season has been for Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who has just 315 receiving yards & 1 touchdown despite being available for all 16 games so far.
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) December 31, 2023
Another key MVS drop pic.twitter.com/ymRt2AuYuN
— Aaron Ladd (@aaronladdtv) December 31, 2023
I’d rather see Tommy Townsend line up at WR than seeing MVS play another snap 😂
— Whitney Hartman 🌾 (@Whitney_Hartman) December 31, 2023
So many of us are wondering why we're even talking about him anymore at this point.
No other team in the NFL would be starting MVS at this point. Not a single one.
— Adam Best (@Arrowhead_Adam) December 31, 2023
PLEASE SIT MVS' ASS ON THE BENCH
— how bout those CHIEFS (@hbtCHIEFS) December 31, 2023
MVS is unplayable unless you’re Andy Reid. Then he leads the WRs in snaps
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) December 31, 2023
Apparently the home crowd feels the same as the at-home crowd.
MVS getting booed at Arrowhead after a crucial drop.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) December 31, 2023
Our pal Nick Wright has even more reasons to dislike MVS at this point.
MVS trying to show Mahomes up after that drop because the throw was slightly behind him is more infuriating than ten drops combined.
— nick wright (@getnickwright) December 31, 2023
Patrick has been covering for the WRs all year, including MVS’ drop against Philly.
That’s benchable for MVS, in my opinion.