The Las Vegas Raiders are staring down a pivotal offseason, and just about every position group could use a fresh coat of paint. With the franchise likely eyeing Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza in April’s draft, the focus isn’t just on landing their quarterback of the future-it’s about building the infrastructure to help him thrive from Day 1.
Step one? Coaching.
The Raiders have already made moves there, bringing in Klint Kubiak as offensive coordinator and Andrew Janocko to work with the quarterbacks. That’s a strong start.
Kubiak’s known for maximizing talent and building QB-friendly systems, and Janocko has a solid track record of developing young arms. But coaching alone won’t be enough.
Las Vegas needs to overhaul an offensive line that was among the worst in the league last year. If Mendoza is going to have any shot at success, he’ll need time to operate-and that starts with protection up front.
Beyond that, the Raiders need to give him weapons. Right now, Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty are the most recognizable names in the skill position group.
That’s a solid foundation, but it’s thin. Which brings us to a name that makes a lot of sense for Las Vegas: Rashid Shaheed.
Shaheed and Kubiak: A Familiar Connection
Shaheed isn’t just a speedy wideout-he’s a player who knows Klint Kubiak’s system inside and out. Their paths first crossed in New Orleans, where Kubiak served as offensive coordinator in 2024.
Even though injuries shortened Shaheed’s season, he still posted a career high in receiving yards per game under Kubiak’s guidance. That chemistry didn’t go unnoticed.
In 2025, Shaheed was traded midseason from the Saints to the Seahawks-where Kubiak had landed as OC. That reunion paid off in a big way, as Shaheed contributed to Seattle’s run to a Super Bowl LX victory. Now, with Kubiak in Las Vegas and Shaheed hitting unrestricted free agency next month, the dots are easy to connect.
A Fit in the Desert?
Shaheed’s not a WR1, and no one’s pretending he is. But he brings value-especially for a team like the Raiders that needs to surround a rookie quarterback with reliable, explosive options. His best statistical season came in 2023 (46 catches, 719 yards, five touchdowns), and in 2025 he totaled 59 receptions for 687 yards and two scores while splitting time between two teams.
Those aren’t eye-popping numbers, but they’re steady. And when you factor in his elite speed, return ability, and deep familiarity with Kubiak’s system, you start to see the upside. He’s the kind of player who could help stretch the field and open up space underneath for Bowers and Jeanty to operate.
Las Vegas also has the cap space to make a move like this without blinking. Seattle, meanwhile, may be reluctant to re-sign Shaheed as they prioritize long-term deals for Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Devon Witherspoon. That could open the door for the Raiders to swoop in-if they believe Shaheed can play a bigger role in their offense.
Tre Tucker or Rashid Shaheed?
Of course, the Raiders already have a speedster in Tre Tucker, and it’s fair to wonder if he could slide into that field-stretching role. But Kubiak’s affinity for Shaheed seems to go beyond just his straight-line speed or return skills. There’s a level of trust there-built over multiple stops-that could carry weight in a free agency decision.
Ultimately, any move would need to be a joint decision between Kubiak and new GM John Spytek. They’ll have to agree on the fit, the price, and the role. But if Shaheed is looking for a familiar system, a coach who believes in him, and a chance to help shape a new era in Las Vegas, the Raiders could be a natural landing spot.
He may not be the flashiest name on the market, but in terms of fit, familiarity, and potential impact, Rashid Shaheed checks a lot of boxes for a team trying to build something sustainable around a young quarterback.
