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Rashid Shaheed had an indifferent 2025 season as he arrived with the Seattle Seahawks as a mid-season acquisition.
Naturally hard to get locked in with everything asked of him, Shaheed offered some production as a receiver, but made his name on special teams after taking multiple returns to the house over the course of the second half of the season.
But now that he is getting a full offseason in Seattle to work with coordinator Brian Fleury, San Darnold and others, the expectation is that Shaheed is going to step up into the No. 2 receiver role, something he has done before.
However, to do that, the reps must be banked in camp, and the chemistry with his quarterback has to build to the point where everything is second nature, and Darnold knows where his receiver is going to be at all times.
READ MORE: Seahawks' Jaxon Smith-Njigba Scouts Brian Fleury Offense With 5 Words
Speaking with the media, Darnold was asked how much more he and the offense can get out of Shaheed.
"I think it's just more time on task," Darnold said. "Getting a guy in mid-season, especially the receiver, it can be tough to build chemistry, that timing, which again, I don't think we really struggled with that much. Maybe early on, but again, like Jax {Smith-Njigba), he's a really friendly receiver to throw to. He's really fast.
"If he's got a post or a go ball, I know I got to get the ball up in a hurry. We're looking forward, I know he is, but I am as well, to him continuing to get more reps, build that chemistry so that we can see him more often getting catches and doing his thing."
READ MORE: Seahawks 'Kingdom' Key Reason For DeMarcus Lawrence Returning In 2026
With Jaxon Smith-Njigba set to get some serious attention from defenses this upcoming season, the onus will be on Seattle's other weapons to pop up and make plays.
If JSN is doubled and taken away, then it will be on players like Shaheed, AJ Barner, and Cooper Kupp to make plays and force the defense to focus on other areas.
So, while Smith-Njigba is a stud, he needs others to help do some of the heavy lifting, and that is where Shaheed comes into the conversation.
If he can develop into a consistent weapon under Fleury, defenses will have to pick and choose who they try to shut down, and with Shaheed's blazing speed, that is tough.
Building chemistry this offseason is crucial in giving Darnold the confidence to look Shaheed's way if JSN is covered.
And that will allow us to see Rashid do his thing on a more consistent basis.
Continue reading...
Naturally hard to get locked in with everything asked of him, Shaheed offered some production as a receiver, but made his name on special teams after taking multiple returns to the house over the course of the second half of the season.
But now that he is getting a full offseason in Seattle to work with coordinator Brian Fleury, San Darnold and others, the expectation is that Shaheed is going to step up into the No. 2 receiver role, something he has done before.
However, to do that, the reps must be banked in camp, and the chemistry with his quarterback has to build to the point where everything is second nature, and Darnold knows where his receiver is going to be at all times.
READ MORE: Seahawks' Jaxon Smith-Njigba Scouts Brian Fleury Offense With 5 Words
Speaking with the media, Darnold was asked how much more he and the offense can get out of Shaheed.
"I think it's just more time on task," Darnold said. "Getting a guy in mid-season, especially the receiver, it can be tough to build chemistry, that timing, which again, I don't think we really struggled with that much. Maybe early on, but again, like Jax {Smith-Njigba), he's a really friendly receiver to throw to. He's really fast.
"If he's got a post or a go ball, I know I got to get the ball up in a hurry. We're looking forward, I know he is, but I am as well, to him continuing to get more reps, build that chemistry so that we can see him more often getting catches and doing his thing."
READ MORE: Seahawks 'Kingdom' Key Reason For DeMarcus Lawrence Returning In 2026
With Jaxon Smith-Njigba set to get some serious attention from defenses this upcoming season, the onus will be on Seattle's other weapons to pop up and make plays.
If JSN is doubled and taken away, then it will be on players like Shaheed, AJ Barner, and Cooper Kupp to make plays and force the defense to focus on other areas.
So, while Smith-Njigba is a stud, he needs others to help do some of the heavy lifting, and that is where Shaheed comes into the conversation.
If he can develop into a consistent weapon under Fleury, defenses will have to pick and choose who they try to shut down, and with Shaheed's blazing speed, that is tough.
Building chemistry this offseason is crucial in giving Darnold the confidence to look Shaheed's way if JSN is covered.
And that will allow us to see Rashid do his thing on a more consistent basis.
Continue reading...
