As the rumors began circling more than ever, it’s no surprise that the New Orleans Saints have agreed to a deal with the Seattle Seahawks for former Pro Bowl WR Rashid Shaheed in return for 2026 fourth- and fifth-round draft picks, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
The 27-year-old big-play threat reunites with former Saints and current Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, with whom he found plenty of success in New Orleans. He joins a red-hot offense led by quarterback Sam Darnold, where he’ll
line up next to another Ohio State Buckeyes alum—budding superstar wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
During his three-and-a-half-year stint in the Black and Gold, Shaheed became a fan favorite from the moment he stepped on the field, recording 138 receptions for 2,055 yards and 12 touchdowns over that span. He’s been one of the lone bright spots for Who Dat Nation during a dark era of Saints football.
That said, a move needed to happen. The former undrafted free agent has suffered three major knee injuries in his career and isn’t getting any younger. Plus, he’ll be a free agent after the season and will likely command around $26 million per year. New Orleans can’t afford to keep both him and Chris Olave, and they’ve made it clear Olave is part of their long-term plans, as the two sides have been reportedly been working on an extension.
I like the value of the trade as well, as it tops what the Las Vegas Raiders received for WR Jakobi Meyers—who was sent to the Jacksonville Jaguars—while avoiding the risk of overspending in free agency or losing a compensatory pick.
This move also opens the door for more opportunities for Devaughn Vele, who hasn’t seen the field as much as you’d hope after the Saints sent a 2026 fourth-rounder and a 2027 seventh-rounder to the Denver Broncos for the 27-year-old this off-season.
This move definitely hurts, but it’s one that needed to happen as the Saints head into next year’s draft with just five picks amid a rebuild. If you’re not making moves that sting, you’re not trying hard enough.
