There has been no shortage of reports regarding A.J. Brown and Alec Pierce, two of the top wide receivers who could be changing teams in short order (Brown via trade, Pierce via free agency). But there are a number of other trade and FA options for WR-needy outfits, including Rashid Shaheed.
The Seahawks acquired Shaheed, 27, from the Saints at the 2025 trade deadline. Over 12 regular season and playoff contests for his new club, the speedster caught 18 balls for 206 scoreless yards, though he added a punt return touchdown and two scores on kickoff returns.
He was more of a factor on offense for the Saints, as he tallied 44 receptions for 499 yards and two TDs before the trade. His blend of offensive and special teams skills has positioned him well for a raise, and though he previously stated he would like to remain with the defending Super Bowl champions, the two sides are not close to an agreement, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Therefore, Shaheed is likely to test the open market. Seahawks GM John Schneider essentially confirmed as much when asked about the Schefter report.
“I saw the report yesterday and I was like, ‘He and his representatives, I think they’ve been testing free agency for over a week now.’ I’m not sure why that was news yesterday,” Schneider said (via Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic).
The legal tampering period opens on Monday, and Shaheed has already been connected to the Bills – who were also rumored as a possible landing spot prior to the trade deadline – and the Raiders. Buffalo recently added D.J. Moore via trade but are still in the Romeo Doubs market, so a Shaheed pursuit cannot be ruled out.
The Raiders, meanwhile, have the most cap space in the league (over $120MM) and plenty of flexibility to add weapons for soon-to-be Raider Fernando Mendoza (and perhaps a veteran bridge passer). Las Vegas does have a number of other needs, including OL help, but new head coach Klint Kubiak – who has worked with Shaheed in New Orleans and Seattle – is fond of the Weber State alum.
Just because Shaheed and Pierce didn’t sign with their previous teams immediately doesn’t mean they don’t want to go back. But they’ve earned the right to find out if someone else wants to pay them more and then decide if that change is worth it. Waiting a week is not a big deal.
I think the risk is guy like Pierce, when they get woo’d by teams with better facilities and who aren’t mired in some backwater… All things being equal salary wise they’ll go to the flash. Dan Diego beaches and lifestyle with a good QB vs a landlocked done team on the poor end? It’s interesting for sure.
So few good receivers hit unrestricted free agency while they still have prime years left that we could see truly wacky money for Pierce, Doubs, and Shaheed. And I say that as someone who generally likes all three for what they are.
If we never traded for Shaheed then I think the rams would have won the division because of his punt return in week 16
At least we have Tory Horton as a potential replacement but I would rather overpay Shaheed instead of Walker
Sure set the tone for that game and got the crowd into it.