Let's be clear: Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the alpha of the Seattle Seahawks' wide receiver room, no matter who else the team might add. He ascended to that even last season when DK Metcalf was still on the team. JSN became WR1 in 2024.
He has also proven in 2025 that he is not only the best receiver on his own team but also one of the best in the NFL. That could also mean the true best in the league. His statistical output has him far and away the leader in receiving yards through Week 9.
Seattle traded for wide receiver Rashid Shaheed ahead of the November 4 trade deadline, though. Will the former New Orleans Saints wideout take many targets away from JSN? He shouldn't. Seattle needs to keep feeding Smith-Njigba.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba reacts to the Seattle Seahawks trading for wide receiver Rashid Shaheed
But the Seahawks' best receiver took to social media to comment on Seattle's splashy move on Tuesday. Did he think it was good or bad? No idea. He definitely thought it was noteworthy.
JSN delivered a simple tweet of the icon of two eyes looking at something. He noticed what his team did, but did not give an opinion on it. That is likely the wise thing to do. He certainly doesn't want to do anything that would make general manager John Schneider look poorly. He also doesn't want to make Shaheed feel unwelcome.
👀
— JSN (@jaxon_smith1) November 4, 2025
As far as Seattle Seahawks fans are concerned, does Rashid Shaheed make their favorite team better? The answer is not yet known. The former Saints receiver is trending in year four toward his best receiving numbers ever. He has 499 through nine games on a bad offense.
His best attribute might be in terms of punt returns, though. He was named First-Team All-Pro for his prowess in that facet in 2023, and there is no reason to think he will stop doing that with the Seahawks.
The player most affected by the addition of Shaheed is rookie Tory Horton. Horton might see fewer reps as a wide receiver, but he has been very good as a punt returner in the first part of the season. He might be supplanted in both areas by Shaheed.
Or maybe the move to acquire Shaheed means that Cooper Kupp's heel and hamstring injuries are worse than first thought. If he is out for some time, Seattle needs a veteran to take his place. That veteran could be Rashid Shaheed.