The Seahawks appear to have the money to keep Shaheed, too, if they want. Multiple teams are also expected to compete for his services if he reaches free agency, especially with some of the top free agent receivers potentially getting hit with the franchise tag.
Fresh off a Super Bowl title, Shaheed said his first priority is to have a team with a chance to win.
“The goal for me is just to keep winning,” he said. “Now that I’ve gotten a taste of the Super Bowl championship, I’m going to keep working for it every year, man.
“I’m competitive, I love football, I’m ready to do anything for my teammates and my team. Yes, I love the game and I’m ready to do what it takes.”
But there are other factors. Shaheed didn’t join the Seahawks until November, and he took on a smaller offensive role than he had previously with the Saints, playing fewer snaps and seeing fewer targets. Shaheed averaged career bests in receptions per game (4.9) and receiving yards per game (55.4) before the trade.
In nine regular season games (four starts) with the Seahawks, Shaheed caught 15 passes for 188 yards with seven rushes for 64 yards. In three playoff games, he had seven touchdowns for an additional 100 yards rushing.
At the Saints, Shaheed was no. 2 their receiver. There could be more opportunities with other teams as he is not battling for targets with Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp, among others. Shaheed admitted on Wednesday that he would love to have the ball in his hands more but that he would still have fun no matter what.
“Of course. Any chance I get to play for my teammates, I’m going to go out there and just enjoy it,” Shaheed said. “As long as the ball, if it’s coming to me or if it’s not coming to me, I’m out there exploding. Any impact I get a chance with — whether it’s offense, special teams — it doesn’t matter. As long as I’m out there, I’m going to have a blast.”
Now we wait to find out if the fun will continue in Seattle or if Shaheed will seek greener pastures elsewhere in free agency.