After passing his physical and all the necessary paperwork was completed, the Seattle Seahawks introduced their newest player, Rashid Shaheed, before the team’s afternoon practice.
“ He got in the building this morning, so we’re off and running there. The offense is walking through right now. Obviously, he has familiarity with Klint (Kubiak) in our system, so hopefully it’s an expedited getting up to speed, but enjoyed our conversation since the trade and I know the guys are excited, “ said Mike Macdonald during his weekly press conference
“It’s a great opportunity to add to our team. It didn’t feel like we were missing something, it’s not like we were trying to plug holes or anything like that. It was just an opportunity to get a great player and augment what we were doing, that was it. But yeah, I’m excited about it and excited to see him out there,’ added Macdonald.
Speedy receiver to stretch defenses
The addition of Shaheed will enhance a Seahawks offense that is ranked fourth in passing, 22nd in rushing, and ninth overall. Shaheed provides another weapon for quarterback Sam Darnold, who is ranked No. 1 overall by Pro Football Focus with a 93.3 QB rating. Darnold’s main receiver has been Jaxson Smith-Njiba, who leads the league with 948 receiving yards. PFF ranks Smith-Njiba second among wideouts with a 92.7 ranking.
The Rams’ Puka Nacua is the top-ranked receiver with a 93.3 ranking. Rookie Tory Horton caught two passes in the win over the Commanders and is showing his ability to stretch defenses. Having three wideouts that can stretch defenses would make it difficult for the opposing defense to key on just one player.
“I feel like there’s a lot of wide-open opportunities. I would get into a lot of play action and stuff like that, so I could stretch the field vertically,’ said Shaheed after being asked how he could fit into the Seahawks offense. “ I feel like I could bring that into this offense. Any type of explosiveness, I’m all here for it.”
Shaheed was with offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak in New Orleans during the 2024 season.
“ I am familiar with Klint (Kubiak). I’m super glad to be connected back with him. He’s familiar with me. He knows my strengths, and I know what his mindset is going into games. It shouldn’t be too hard to get acclimated with him and just find my role in the offense.”
Punt return duties.
In addition to playing wide receiver, the Seahawks will be tapping into Shaheed’s special teams skills . “He’ll be a part of our return game, yeah. Working through it, it’s fair to say return game for right now. Tory (Horton) is still going to be our returner, but we’ll train him at punt returner, said Macdonald. Shaheed earned first-team All-Pro honors and Pro Bowl honors as a punt return specialist in 2023.
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