Shaheed stays!!!

[SNDavidson]

2027 draft is gonna' be a blast. Especially picking at 32 AGAIN.

Trade back fest '26

 

[CPHawk]

OP agrees with Deion. Who needs a special teams coach, or in this case the top special teams return man in the nfl.

 

[HawkRiderFan]

Going back to JS"s comments the original trade was not done as a replacement for Horton. They envision both of them on the field at the same time. I'm a little pessimistic about Horton being ready to start the year, but those 2 on the field together is going to force teams to play anything other than 2-high at their own risk.

 

[Trackhawk]

Top WR-2 Salaries are currently in the 28 million range. This contract puts Shaheed firmly in the second tier of WR-2s, and I think he does belong there. He did not show it last year, but the potential is there, and I think with a full offseason to integrate him into the overall game plan, and get him in sync with Darnold, he can be a solid, second-tier WR-2.

It also should be a contract that will allow us to trade him to a needy team, if he doesn't gel with Darnold, and Horton takes over the WR-2 spot.

 

[Grahamhawker]

When you look at current WR salaries, things get really crazy once you get past rookie deals. There are very few "bargains". Hell, the trio of Josh Palmer, Dyami Brown and Tutu Atwell are getting paid $10M/yr each. They had a combined 48 catches and 2 tds last year.

It seems crazy at first glance, but relatively speaking this contract is commensurate with Shaheed's skills. I'm anxious to see what happens after a full off season to build his connection with Darnold.

 

[AnimeAmore]

Top WR-2 Salaries are currently in the 28 million range. This contract puts Shaheed firmly in the second tier of WR-2s, and I think he does belong there. He did not show it last year, but the potential is there, and I think with a full offseason to integrate him into the overall game plan, and get him in sync with Darnold, he can be a solid, second-tier WR-2.

It also should be a contract that will allow us to trade him to a needy team, if he doesn't gel with Darnold, and Horton takes over the WR-2 spot.

Shaheed is a #4 though. He isn't a #2. He isn't even close. A number 2 doesn't average 21 yards per game. He needs to up his game significantly just to be an *average* 3rd option. The seahawks offense was also noticeably worse once Shaheed joined the team.
Paying someone a lot of money doesn't suddenly make them better than they've ever been before. As a WR he is similar to someone you'd get in the 6th or 7th round. Easily the most overrated WR in the NFL.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

 

[Trackhawk]

His 11.6 yards per reception tracks with JSN's 11.3 last year, when he was our WR-1/2, and his 687 yards last year track with JSN's rookie 628 output.

No, this isn't solid WR-2 output, but it is promising.

I go back to the JSN + Shaheed effect on the running game, though. Things really opened up for K9 as Shaheed became more fully integrated into the offense.

Is it a sure bet? No. Is it a reasonable one? I think so.

 

[Torc]

Here is Mina Kimes' analysis of the signing. She gets into how the run game improved after the trade for Shaheed, and attributes the improvements at least partially to his presence on the field preventing teams from loading the box. His impact goes beyond the number of catches he had, which I believe will improve.

 

[MontanaHawk05]

A number 2 doesn't average 21 yards per game.

You can spam that phrase all you like and it isn't going to convince anyone. Let me guess, you read the handbook that says "repeat something often enough and people will start believing it as truth"?

There are legit reasons to think Shaheed will exceed that 21 mark next year.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Nobody is forced to like how much it cost to keep him. But to act like he sucks, or he's a #4? Beyond laughable.

Let's be real here, do they get the #1 seed and/or make the SB w/out his HUGE returns? Maybe, but come on. They very likely don't get the 1 seed w/out that return vs. the Rams.

 

[Jville]

2025 was the best Seahawks Special Teams year I can remember.​

​

Rashid Shaheed is the leagues premier punt and kick return man.​

I don't understand why so many overlook that. Rashid is a difference maker that makes those around him better and as well as provide a huge field position influence. He's also a wide receiver that can contribute difference making plays in a game. He's a speedster that draws coverage off of fellow receivers. Overall, an outstanding fit for 2026!

His best is yet to come.

 

[bileever]

At first, I was surprised that the Seahawks signed Shaheed, especially at that price. I think that WR2s and WR3s are very replaceable.

But the more I thought about it, I think that Shaheed is being brought back for other reasons. I agree with @Dallashawksfan and @TeamoftheCentury and @Jville , that Shaheed is a bit of a unicorn. There just aren't that many players who return kickoffs and punts so consistently well.

The NFL used to have more dynamic returners but the return game was neutralized by kickers who were allowed to just kick it out of the end zone. Now the kickoff return has come back into the game, but there aren't that many returners to go around. Shaheed changed the course (or set the tone) of several games this year. For example, returning the second half kickoff for a TD against the Falcons when the game was tied, returning a punt for a TD against the Rams when the Seahawks were behind by 16, and returning the opening kickoff for a TD against the 49ers in the playoffs. Huge impact from those plays. If he gives us three plays like that next season, he's well worth the $17 million.

 

[Runscott]

His 11.6 yards per reception tracks with JSN's 11.3 last year, when he was our WR-1/2, and his 687 yards last year track with JSN's rookie 628 output.

No, this isn't solid WR-2 output, but it is promising.

I go back to the JSN + Shaheed effect on the running game, though. Things really opened up for K9 as Shaheed became more fully integrated into the offense.

Is it a sure bet? No. Is it a reasonable one? I think so.

As a kid, Bob Hayes was one of my favorite receivers - fast as hell, but he dropped more than his share of passes. He kept getting better. I think of Rashid kind of that way, but even better. (Hayes was also #22).

 

[Hawknight]

At first, I was surprised that the Seahawks signed Shaheed, especially at that price. I think that WR2s and WR3s are very replaceable.

But the more I thought about it, I think that Shaheed is being brought back for other reasons. I agree with @Dallashawksfan and @TeamoftheCentury and @Jville , that Shaheed is a bit of a unicorn. There just aren't that many players who return kickoffs and punts so consistently well.

The NFL used to have more dynamic returners but the return game was neutralized by kickers who were allowed to just kick it out of the end zone. Now the kickoff return has come back into the game, but there aren't that many returners to go around. Shaheed changed the course (or set the tone) of several games this year. For example, returning the second half kickoff for a TD against the Falcons when the game was tied, returning a punt for a TD against the Rams when the Seahawks were behind by 16, and returning the opening kickoff for a TD against the 49ers in the playoffs. Huge impact from those plays. If he gives us three plays like that next season, he's well worth the $17 million.

His kick return for a touchdown against the Niners will be forever a classic memory for me...worth the money right there....I hope he does it again this next season....

 

[Jville]

Shout out to Jay Harbaugh as well.

2025 was a special year.

2026 looks to be off to a good start.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

And there were some definite overthrows by Sam this year to Sheed, or we see completely different numbers.
He's a game changer. Period.

 

[rjdriver]

Here is Mina Kimes' analysis of the signing. She gets into how the run game improved after the trade for Shaheed, and attributes the improvements at least partially to his presence on the field preventing teams from loading the box. His impact goes beyond the number of catches he had, which I believe will improve.

This is what I was going add, but only in a mentally challenged way compared to Mina.

I think the @Rams game was the tipping point. Mac saw Darold have a horrible game but yet we almost won the game in LA. I think it was then he knew we could win every game if we limited turnovers, so the focus went to getting the run game where it needed to be before the playoffs.

Do I think JS overpaid a little? Maybe. Probably even.

If I had to guess, I bet JS was maybe blindsided a little by 3 guys leaving instantly. I bet he thought Coby was in play longer. After losing an edge, a rb, and a safety before noon, there was probably a mild sense of urgency to not lose Shaheed. Especially considering we don’t have many picks to restock this year.

If Rasheed was coming from another team with those 2025 numbers, I would be upset at this price. However, Mac and JS know what he is capable of and they also know with this D and special teams, Rasheed will probably win us a game or two based on field position from kick/punt returns.

So yeah. Good move for Seattle with perhaps a slight overpay, great day for Rasheed and his family taking advantage of the situation and circumstances.

 

[Jville]

And there were some definite overthrows by Sam this year to Sheed, or we see completely different numbers.
He's a game changer. Period.

Indeed, a full off season of activities to refine their communication and measure of each other.

 

[Appyhawk]

Rawspeed Shaheed. Worth every penny.
Blows me away people are considering running back a low priority/demand position.