The Seattle Seahawks made a major splash right before the 2025 NFL trade deadline. Just days after obliterating the Washington Commanders on Sunday Night Football with their high-powered offense, they made their offense even more dangerous by acquiring New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed.
How does this trade help the Seahawks’ playoff chances, and did the Saints get good value back in the deal?
Breaking Down the Rashid Shaheed Trade Details
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero was the first to report the news on X on Tuesday. In the trade, the Saints will be acquiring a fourth- and fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
“Seattle is loading up with the acquisition of Rashid Shaheed, who reunites with OC Klint Kubiak and brings major speed,” Pelissero stated in a follow-up tweet. Kubiak was Shaheed’s offensive coordinator in New Orleans in 2024.
Seattle Seahawks Analysis
Sam Darnold has been a revelation for the Seahawks this season, and it has Seattle sitting at 6-2 in a tie for first place in the loaded NFC West. Their passing attack has been strong as it is, but Cooper Kupp’s injuries have made it tough for him to be the WR2 they expected him to be going into the season. Now, they don’t have to rely on that.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads the NFL with 948 receiving yards in just eight games, but no other Seattle receiver ranks in the top 64. Kupp has been a serviceable starter when healthy, and rookie Tory Horton has shown some encouraging flashes. That said, Shaheed is a major upgrade to the Seahawks’ wide receiver room.
This fit is particularly great for Shaheed, who has looked the part of a premier deep threat despite inconsistent quarterback play during his time in New Orleans. At Darnold’s current level of play, he will be the best QB that Shaheed has ever caught passes from at the NFL level. That should unlock his full potential and unleash him vertically.
Sure, the Seahawks would have to pay Shaheed a good amount of money next offseason if they want to retain him. He’s honestly probably worth it. Getting another high-caliber receiver takes pressure off JSN, makes Darnold’s life a lot easier, and makes the Seahawks an even bigger threat out of the NFC.
Seahawks Grade: A
New Orleans Saints Analysis
With Shaheed entering the final year of his current contract, it makes sense that the Saints would look to get value back for him. He’s likely due a big extension when the 2026 NFL offseason rolls around, so if New Orleans didn’t feel comfortable paying him what he’s worth, cutting your losses and taking the draft capital makes sense.
The impact on the Saints’ 2025 season doesn’t matter much at this point, seeing as though they’re 1-8 going into the NFL trade deadline. The chances they make the postseason at this stage are slim to none. As far as this year goes, the only drawback is that rookie Tyler Shough is now without one of his two most reliable targets going into the season.
All told, a fourth- and a fifth-round pick isn’t bad value for Shaheed. It’s a little bit more than New Orleans likely would’ve gotten in compensatory pick value, and they get to move up those selections to the 2026 NFL Draft, as opposed to waiting for 2027 for that draft capital to kick in.
It’s a particularly bad look, however, when you consider the Saints traded a fourth- and seventh-round pick for Devaughn Vele before the start of the season. Shaheed is on pace for nearly 1,000 yards this season, while Vele has only caught five passes for 39 yards this year for the Saints.
Saints Grade: B-