The Seahawks may have overpaid for Rashid Shaheed â but insiders say the move was still worth it.
Seahawksâ $51 Million Deal for Rashid Shaheed May Be an Overpay â But Itâs Worth It
The Seattle Seahawks made one of their biggest offseason decisions by bringing back Rashid Shaheed.
Seattle re-signed the explosive wide receiver and return specialist to a three-year, $51 million contract, including $34.7 million guaranteed.
At first glance, some analysts believe the Seahawks may have paid a little more than expected.
But according to former NFL quarterback Brock Huard, the deal still makes sense.
A Slight Overpay â But a Smart One
Speaking on Seattle Sportsâ Brock and Salk show, Huard admitted the contract might be slightly above what the team initially planned to spend.
However, he believes Shaheedâs overall impact makes the price worthwhile.
âI think itâs a little bit more than they ideally wanted to spend,â Huard said.
âBut I think itâs worth every bang for the buck.â
The Seahawks reportedly valued Shaheed enough to stretch their budget to keep him in Seattle.
Shaheedâs Biggest Impact: Special Teams
While Shaheedâs receiving numbers after joining Seattle werenât huge, his impact on special teams was massive.
After arriving in a midseason trade from the New Orleans Saints, he recorded:
- 18 receptions
- 266 receiving yards
- 0 receiving touchdowns
But the real value came in the return game.
Shaheed scored three return touchdowns, including several momentum-changing plays during Seattleâs postseason run.
Key Return Touchdowns
Some of his biggest moments included:
- 100-yard kickoff return TD vs. Atlanta (Week 15)
- 58-yard punt return TD vs. Rams (Week 16)
- 95-yard kickoff return TD vs. San Francisco (Divisional Round)
Those plays helped spark crucial wins during Seattleâs championship season.
New NFL Rules Increase Return Value
The Seahawks also believe Shaheedâs special-teams ability will become even more valuable.
Recent NFL rule changes have led to more kick returns, with return rates reaching 77% last season.
Huard explained that strong returners can dramatically impact field position.
Starting drives even two or three yards further downfield over the course of a season can significantly increase scoring chances.
More Than Just a Returner
Shaheed also adds speed to Seattleâs passing attack.
He now forms a dangerous receiver group alongside:
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba
- Cooper Kupp
- Tory Horton
His deep-threat ability combined with elite return skills makes him a multi-phase weapon for the Seahawks.
Seahawks Betting on Big Impact
Even if the contract appears slightly expensive, Seattle believes Shaheedâs ability to flip games instantly makes the investment worthwhile.
For a team looking to defend its Super Bowl title, explosive playmakers like Shaheed are exactly what the Seahawks want on their roster.
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