The Seattle Seahawks were the best team in the league last season, and it's hard to believe they won't be in the top three again in 2026. As such, and with their positive salary cap situation, they should be every player's preferred free-agency destination.
That said, they might not be interested in running back with some of their free agents, or they might be tempted to consider other options. Likewise, guys like Rashid Shaheed might be poised to have bigger roles elsewhere.
Shaheed was a crucial special teams contributor down the stretch, but he might be more of a factor on offense with another team, so he might be tempted to leave in free agency. If that happens, the Seahawks can replace him with another speedy and far cheaper option.
The Seattle Seahawks should consider signing Tyquan Thornton
According to Spotrac, Shaheed has a projected market value of $14.1 million, the sixth-highest among free agent wide receivers. Much below in that list, they can find Kansas City Chiefs' Tyquan Thornton, who's projected to make just $2.8 million next season.
While not as popular, Thornton is two years younger than Shaheed, and he also proved to be a big-play specialist while playing sparingly in Kansas City. He's a speedy playmaker who, like Shaheed, can also contribute to special teams. He played 38 special teams snaps and returned 38 kickoffs for 475 yards.
Thornton averaged a staggering 23.1 yards per reception and only needed 19 catches to reach 438 receiving yards and three touchdowns. That's despite only starting four games and sitting behind Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice, Juju Smith-Schuster, and Marquise 'Hollywood' Brown on the depth chart.
He actually had more receiving touchdowns than Shaheed (2). The former New Orleans Saints player was clearly a strong addition, but spending north of $14 million a year on a guy who had 687 receiving yards last season might be a lot too much.
Thornton is the type of cost-controlled option that could be a seamless plug-and-play addition to this team. He knows his role, and as a big-play specialist and speedy playmaker, he'd open things up for Jaxon Smith-Njigba, with defenses having to account for him as well.
The Seahawks' offense should look quite similar next season, even with offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak leaving town. Smith-Njigba will continue to be the primary focus of the passing game, but adding a guy who can leave defenders in the dust with his shiftiness and acceleration certainly won't hurt.