- May 21, 2026
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SportsMafia Wire graphic. Team logos and player headshots via ESPN.
RENTON, Wash. -- Rashid Shaheed electrified Lumen Field with a 95-yard opening kickoff return touchdown against San Francisco in last season's divisional playoffs, sparking a 41-6 rout that helped propel Seattle to Super Bowl LX. That signature moment earned him a three-year, $51 million contract in March.
But the Seahawks have yet to unlock Shaheed as a receiver. Ruled out Monday against Chicago with a knee injury, Shaheed has just 16 catches for 163 yards in seven games this season, plus one rushing touchdown. His 28.9 scrimmage yards per game barely matches his modest post-trade average from 2024.
Coach Mike Macdonald believes more is possible: "I think there's more there." Offensive coordinator Brian Fleury has experimented with backfield packages reminiscent of Deebo Samuel's usage, including a 28-yard touchdown run against the Chargers in Week 4, but Seattle has largely shelved those looks.
The deeper concern: Shaheed, once among the NFL's premier deep threats in New Orleans with 21 catches of 25-plus yards, has just two such receptions in 19 games as a Seahawk. Quarterback Sam Darnold acknowledges missed opportunities, including an overthrow against Denver.
Meanwhile, Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads the league with 867 receiving yards, leaving Seattle desperate for a secondary target.
Mickey's Angle: The Seahawks paid Shaheed like a weapon, but he's functioning as a return specialist. Until Fleury and Darnold solve the deep-ball chemistry, Smith-Njigba will keep drawing double coverage and Seattle's offense stays one-dimensional.
Source: ESPN - written by Mickey the Mouth from the original report.