Former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. is one of the most intriguing "what if" stories of the last decade in the NFL. At times, the do-it-all offensive weapon was electric, shaking defenders out of their shoes and creating explosive plays out of thin air. But more often than not, he left fans and coaches disappointed.
His one-year stint with the Seahawks in 2024 marks the last time he stepped on the field in the NFL. At just 27 years old, he still has time to make a comeback.
Unfortunately, his hopes for a return to the NFL might be dashed. Shenault was recently released by the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League. Barring an unexpected change, the former second-round pick's professional football career might already be over.
Former Seattle Seahawks WR Laviska Shenault Jr. released by UFL team
Coming out of Colorado, Shenault was the kind of prospect every NFL coach wants to get on their roster. At 6'2" and 220 pounds, he was a versatile prospect who could line up at receiver or running back. His dynamism as a kick returner made him an instant-impact type of player.
It just never came together for Shenault. He bounced around the league, playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Carolina Panthers before landing in Seattle. In five NFL seasons, he barely eclipsed 1,500 receiving yards and scored just seven offensive touchdowns.
By the time the Seahawks picked him up, he was primarily a special teams player. He carved out a significant role in 2024, returning 16 kicks over the course of the season and scoring once. However, the team released him after he muffed two kicks in a late-season game against the New York Jets. He would then sign with the Los Angeles Chargers, but was not retained for the 2025 season.
A failed attempt to make the Buffalo Bills' roster left him without a team, so the former Seahawk turned to the UFL to revive his career. He played in just four games for the Stallions and failed to find a role. Now that he's been released there, his chances are likely up.
Shenault may never have been a star player in the NFL, but he made a significant impact for multiple teams, including the Seahawks. Still, his NFL career could have been much more prolific under different circumstances. For now, it looks like his chances of making a return to the league have been dashed.
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