What Sam Darnold said about new Seahawks WR Rashid Shaheed and his speed

Seattle's newest weapon adds several new options for their passing offense.

Sep 29, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford (20) breaks up a pass in the end zone against New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The NFL trade deadline was good to the Seattle Seahawks. While they might have moved the needle more with a blockbuster move for someone like Maxx Crosby, Seattle's aggressive acquisition of Rashid Shaheed should help expand Seattle's offense in several ways.

The first and most obvious thing you need to know about Shaheed is that he has elite game speed - and is as potent a vertical threat as there is in the league right now.

Here's what starting quarterback Sam Darnold had to say about Seattle's newest addition when he spoke with reporters on Thursday.

Sam Darnold on Rashid Shaheed and his speed: “Anytime you’ve got a guy that can roll like that, it helps in a bunch of different ways. But … he’s not just a speed guy. He’s a route runner, a receiver who can do a lot of great things when he catches the ball as well.”

More: pic.twitter.com/rupTOvgEcq

— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) November 6, 2025

Adding Shaheed to the mix will also open things up for other skill players.

For one thing, it will discourage opposing defenses from double covering Jaxon Smith-Njigba, which will get more and more common as he approaches Calvin Johnson's all-time single season receiving yards record. Although thus far, even tight double teams haven't been effective in slowing him down.

For another, defensive coordinators will also be forced to play more nickel and dime coverages. Heading into Week 10, the Seahawks have faced base defensive alignments more than any other team in the league this year.

That's the biggest reason why Seattle's run game is lagging behind - and facing lighter boxes will help Ken Walker and Zach Charbonnet get the rushing attack going.

For an encore, Shaheed also gives the Seahawks a huge new weapon on special teams. They have an already strong return game, with rookie Tory Horton leading the NFL in punt return yards. Shaheed is a threat on punts as well as kickoff returns, where he's totaled 904 yards on 39 career attempts.

Jun 10, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) during receiver drills during minicamp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. | Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

More Seahawks on SI stories

Updated depth chart after Seahawks’ trade for WR/KR Rashid Shaheed

New addition adds lethal speed to Seahawks offense & special teams

Sam Darnold rivaling Tom Brady, other greats with ridiculous statistic

NFL Network breaks down why the Seahawks targeted Rashid Shaheed