Rashid Shaheed walked into his new building on Wednesday morning with confidence about staying permanently. The freshly acquired receiver had visited the Virginia Mason Athletic Center just hours before declaring his future in Seattle.
“I’m here to stay,” Shaheed told reporters during his introduction. When pressed about his expiring contract and potential free agency in March, he reiterated his stance. “I’m excited, and we can figure something out after the season ends.”
Shaheed will be a free agent after the season, but he says he’s looking at Seattle as his new home for the long-term.
“I’m here to stay, man. We can figure something out after the season ends.” https://t.co/MQ6kEGEsi0
— Curtis Crabtree (@Curtis_Crabtree) November 5, 2025
Seattle gave up fourth and fifth-round picks for a player who might hit free agency in four months. That gamble only makes sense if both sides want a long-term relationship. Shaheed’s comments suggest he does.
The Seahawks won’t negotiate an extension immediately though. Their longstanding policy requires waiting until after the season to discuss new deals with trade acquisitions. Jamal Adams, Leonard Williams and Ernest Jones IV all received extensions following that same pattern.
Shaheed must finish his two-year, $6.185 million contract signed with New Orleans in 2024. His agent can then negotiate with Seattle before free agency opens. The receiver sounds willing to bet on himself over these final weeks.
Seattle Turns to Rashid Shaheed’s Deep Threat Ability With Klint Kubiak Link Key
Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak brings familiarity to an otherwise unfamiliar situation. Shaheed played under Kubiak last season in New Orleans before injuries wrecked both their years. “I’m super glad to be connected back with him,” Shaheed said. “He’s familiar with me. He knows my strengths.”
The scheme looks nearly identical to what Kubiak ran with the Saints. “It’s pretty much the same” with minor tweaks, Shaheed explained. That knowledge should accelerate his integration into Seattle’s offense alongside Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who leads the NFL with 948 receiving yards.
Mike Macdonald downplayed desperation in acquiring Shaheed. The coach called it “just an opportunity to get a great player and to augment what we were doing” rather than filling a hole. But Cooper Kupp’s hamstring and heel problems tell a different story about Seattle’s receiver health.
Shaheed brings elite deep speed that defenses must respect. His 13.63 air yards per target ranks third in the NFL since 2022. Six career touchdowns came from at least 50 yards, with ten of his twelve scores covering 30-plus yards. “The speed’s real,” Macdonald confirmed.
That speed could unlock Seattle’s struggling ground game. Defenses stack the box against the NFL’s second-worst rushing attack at 3.7 yards per carry. Shaheed saw similar issues solved last season in New Orleans, playing opposite Chris Olave.
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