The Denver Broncos enter this offseason with a relatively stable roster, but there’s one area that clearly needs a boost: wide receiver. Courtland Sutton remains a reliable veteran presence, and there’s young talent behind him, but for a team eyeing a deep playoff run, the offense could use another proven playmaker-especially one who can stretch the field and add some juice to the return game.
That’s where Rashid Shaheed enters the picture.
Shaheed, a dynamic wideout and return specialist, is set to hit free agency, and he could be an ideal fit in Denver. While he never played under Sean Payton in New Orleans-Payton stepped down after the 2021 season, and Shaheed arrived as an undrafted free agent in 2022-there’s little doubt Payton is familiar with what the speedster brings to the table. Shaheed’s explosive skillset is tailor-made for a Broncos offense that needs more vertical threats and big-play potential.
For quarterback Bo Nix, who’s expected to take the reins in 2026, adding a player like Shaheed would be a significant boost. Nix is known for his poise and accuracy, but having a receiver who can take the top off a defense or flip field position with one return could make his job a lot easier. Shaheed has shown he can do both.
Beyond his offensive value, Shaheed is also a game-changer on special teams. His return ability adds another layer of versatility that Denver’s roster could use. In a league where field position and momentum swings matter more than ever, having a player who can flip the field in an instant is a major asset.
Financially, Spotrac projects Shaheed’s next deal to land around three years and $42.3 million. That’s a fair number for a two-time Pro Bowler who’s still ascending.
The challenge? The Seattle Seahawks-Shaheed’s current team-have significantly more cap space than Denver, to the tune of over $40 million.
If it comes down to a bidding war, Seattle has the upper hand.
Still, if Shaheed does hit the open market and decides to explore new opportunities, Denver makes a ton of sense. The Broncos need a spark on offense, a reliable return man, and a veteran presence to complement Sutton and help bring along their younger receivers. Shaheed checks every one of those boxes.
Whether or not Denver can land him will depend on how aggressive they want to be-and how much they’re willing to spend to give their young quarterback a true difference-maker on the outside.