The Seattle Seahawks already had the best wide receiver in the game. However, Jaxon Smith-Njigba is just one man (yes, he's human), and while he's done most of the heavy lifting on his own, his team needed another weapon.
With Cooper Kupp not getting any younger and Rashid Shaheed showing glimpses of flashy play in his brief time with the organization, they gladly brought him back with a three-year, $51 million contract.
Fast forward to today, and after three games, that deal is aging like milk left out of the fridge. It might be early, but it's not even that he hasn't done much with his opportunities; he's barely drawing the quarterback's attention.
The Seattle Seahawks need much more from Rashid Shaheed
Shaheed entered Week 3 with just four receptions — and two drops — on nine targets for 39 yards on 42 routes run. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) gave him the second-worst grade among eligible wide receivers (45.2), as well as the second-worst receiving grade (45.7).
Things didn't get much better for him in Week 3. Sam Darnold only looked his way three times, and he had two receptions for 14 yards. Granted, he also had a big gain denied by a penalty that ultimately favored the Seahawks, but still.
Regardless of context, this clearly isn't what the Seahawks signed up for. Drew Lock is a gunslinger, but Shaheed never created enough separation for the Seahawks' backup to get involved. Then, once the starter returned to action, it was more of the same.
Shaheed's big-play threat forces defenses to adjust and account for him, so it's not like he can't make an impact when he doesn't have the rock in his hands. But how long until defenses realize he's not much more than an overpriced decoy? How long will it take other teams to consider him a one-trick pony?
The Seahawks' passing game is blessed with one of the most dynamic pass catchers in recent NFL history, but that's simply not sustainable. JSN keeps single-handedly carrying the air attack, but everyone needs help.
Cooper Kupp isn't getting any younger, and the Seahawks use Tory Horton in small doses. Maybe they'll have to reconsider that stance with him if Shaheed continues to put up nothing-burgers on a weekly basis.
Maybe it's way too early in the season to be this worried about a player who can be a one-play drive on every touch. That said, this was the same issue with him when he first arrived from New Orleans, and he's making way too much money to be just a special-teams kind of guy.
The Seahawks must get him involved with some quick-hitters and scripted touches. They have to get their money's worth with their speedster before the rest of the league catches wind that he's a non-threat.
Mike Macdonald's team will look to bounce back against a tough Los Angeles Chargers defense in Week 4, and another dud should make this team strongly consider shaking up the wide receiver pecking order.
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