When the Seattle Seahawks pulled the trigger on a midseason trade for wide receiver Rashid Shaheed, they weren’t just looking for another name on the depth chart - they were looking for a spark. And Shaheed delivered that and more.
He wasn’t the go-to target in Seattle’s passing game, but he didn’t need to be. What he brought was a jolt of electricity - the kind of game-breaking speed that forces defenses to stretch and adjust.
That was clear right out of the gate in the NFC Championship against the Rams, when Shaheed beat his man down the sideline for a big gain on the opening drive. The Seahawks only came away with a field goal, but the tone had been set: this offense had a new gear.
But where Shaheed really made his mark was on special teams. He housed a punt return against the Rams during the regular season, then followed that up with a kickoff return touchdown against the Falcons.
And when the lights got brighter in the postseason, he didn’t blink. In the Divisional Round against the 49ers, Shaheed opened the game with a 95-yard kick return touchdown - the kind of moment that flips momentum before the offense even takes the field.
Now, with the season in the books and a Super Bowl ring on his resume, Shaheed hits free agency. Seattle brought him in as a rental, giving up a fourth- and fifth-round pick to get him.
That’s not nothing. The Seahawks would love to keep him, especially given his impact in such a short time.
But they’ve got a long list of priorities this offseason, including re-signing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, and the cap only stretches so far.
So if Shaheed ends up testing the market, where could he land? Let’s take a look at a few teams that make a lot of sense.
Las Vegas Raiders: A Familiar Face in a New Era
The Raiders are starting fresh. Klint Kubiak is taking over as head coach, and with the No. 1 overall pick likely bringing in Fernando Mendoza at quarterback, this is a team in full rebuild mode. But there’s talent here - especially with Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty in the fold - and Kubiak has a clean slate to work with.
Bowers is going to be the focal point of the passing game, but what this offense really needs is someone who can take the top off a defense and open things up underneath. That’s where Shaheed comes in. One of the fastest receivers in the league, he brings vertical juice that could help stretch the field and create space for Bowers to operate.
There’s also a built-in connection. Shaheed played under Kubiak in both New Orleans and Seattle, so there’s familiarity with the system and trust already established.
For a team trying to build something from the ground up, that kind of continuity matters. And with Las Vegas holding plenty of cap space, they have the resources to make a compelling offer.
Chicago Bears: Adding Firepower to Stay on Top
The Bears were one of the surprise stories of the season, winning the NFC North and pushing deep into the playoffs before falling just short of a conference title game berth. But staying on top in the NFC North is no easy task - this is one of the most competitive divisions in football.
Chicago knows it can’t stand still. With DJ Moore’s future uncertain, adding another dynamic receiver is high on the to-do list.
Shaheed would be a perfect fit alongside Rome Odunze and Colston Loveland. His speed would give the Bears a true vertical threat, forcing defenses to respect the deep ball and opening up space for the rest of the offense.
Think of the role Jameson Williams played for Ben Johnson in Detroit - that’s the kind of impact Shaheed could have in Chicago. He wouldn’t need to be the No. 1 option, but his presence would make life easier for everyone else. If he hits the open market, the Bears should absolutely be in the mix.
Buffalo Bills: Giving Josh Allen the Deep Threat He Deserves
The Bills came painfully close to an AFC Championship Game appearance, but the cracks in their offense were hard to ignore. Josh Allen did everything he could to carry the load, but Buffalo’s receiving corps just didn’t give him enough to work with.
By the time the playoffs rolled around, the Bills were leaning on Brandin Cooks as one of their top targets. Cooks made some plays, but that’s not the ideal scenario for a team trying to win it all.
Khalil Shakir looks like a keeper, and there’s talent in the tight end room, but what Buffalo lacks is a true speed threat - someone who can stretch the field and give Allen a target he can unleash that cannon of an arm on. Shaheed fits the bill perfectly.
With Joe Brady staying on as head coach, the offensive system won’t change much. That continuity, paired with a weapon like Shaheed, could help unlock another level for this offense. Allen is one of the best deep-ball throwers in the game - giving him a receiver who can take the top off a defense would be a game-changer.
Rashid Shaheed may not be a household name just yet, but he’s the kind of player who can tilt the field - whether it’s flipping field position on special teams or turning a routine play into six with a burst of speed. After proving his value in Seattle’s Super Bowl run, he’s earned the right to test the market. And if he does, there’s no shortage of teams that could use his game-breaking ability.