During the 2025 offseason, Seattle Seahawks’ GM John Schneider inked deep threat Marquez Valdes-Scantling to a free agent deal. The thought was that the veteran could provide some outside speed to complement Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp and take advantage of Sam Darnold’s ability to throw downfield.
A couple of things derailed those plans. First, JSN and rookie Tory Horton showed they both could make chunk plays downfield. Second, MVS, at thirty-one, may have lost a step. Schneider ended up releasing the veteran before the season began.
Nine weeks later, he has pulled off a trade to help counter the release. Schneider has acquired another quality receiver – Rashid Shaheed – from the New Orleans Saints at the trade deadline.
What does Rashid Shaheed bring to the Seahawks’ offense?
Shaheed, like Valdez-Scanting, played for Seahawks’ offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak last season in New Orleans. And like MVS, he was a bring-play machine. He averaged 17.5 yards-per-reception on 20 catches and found the end zone three times.
That production came in just the first six game of the season, before he went down with a season-ending meniscus injury. The undrafted free agent who had made it into the league because of his ability as a return man was beginning to establish himself as formidable receiver in his own right.
This season, he has run shorter routes. The yards-per-catch is way down – the lowest of his career – but his completion percentage has skyrocketed to almost 70%. In an odd twist, he has virtually turned into what Smith-Njigba had been prior to this year while the Seahawk star has become one of the best all-around pass catchers in the league.
Much of Shaheed's lack of downfield chunk plays can be attributed to the Saints' iffy quarterback play and not to a diminishment in his game.
With JSN, Cooper Kupp and an emerging Tory Horton, it may seem strange that Schneider would go after another wide out. But it makes all the sense in the world and shows just how committed the Hawks are to winning this season.
For all its production in the passing game, Seattle still lacks speed. None of the backups boast breakaway speed, nor does Kupp. JSN has sneaky speed but he gets separation primarily by running excellent routes.
Shaheed is a flat-out burner. He has been clocked at just under 23 MPH in the open field. He will add a dimension to the Hawks’ passing attack that has been missing ever since they jettisoned Valdes-Scantling. And that presence should open things up even more for Kupp, AJ Barner, and Elijah Arroyo underneath.
Oh yeah – he also just happens to be one of the best punt returners in the league. First team All Pro a couple years ago. And no slouch on kickoffs either. Look for him to relieve Horton of the punt return duties so that the rookie can focus on developing his receiving game. Dareke Young and George Holani may hold onto the their kickoff returns, but I imagine Shaheed will get a few chances there as well.
Seattle had a potent offense prior to Tuesday. They just provided Klint Kubiak with a weapon he knows very well – one that helps the Seahawks offense keep up with their elite defense.
John Schneider knows this is his chance to shock the NFL world, and he is going for it.