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The Seattle Seahawks are losing a few of their top players to free agency, with Kenneth Walker III and Coby Bryant joining the Kansas City Chiefs and Chicago Bears, respectively.
But the Seahawks did bring back a few players. Cornerback Josh Jobe is returning on a very reasonable $24 million three-year deal. But, a different three-year deal, a $51 million contract for Rashid Shaheed, is the far bigger move.
Not only is Shaheed an important player to bring back, but this contract might actually be an overpay. Before free agency began, USA Today's Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz named Shaheed as a "Buyer beware" player. But why? There's one reason: production.
Rashid Shaheed $51M deal might be overpay
"But any potential buyer shouldn't view him as someone who will single-handedly overhaul the explosiveness of a unit," Middlehurst-Schwartz writes. "...In a so-so market for receivers, his payout could get inflated well past a point that's proportional to his actual value."
The Seahawks are spending $17 million per-season to bring back Shaheed for the 2026, 2027, and 2028 seasons. It's a $51 million deal, and it's by no means a cheap one.
The 27-year-old speedy wide receiver was acquired at the trade deadline by the Seahawks from the New Orleans Saints, and he helped Seattle win the Super Bowl.
It was a worthwhile trade, but this contract might not be. While Shaheed was a Pro Bowler this season, thanks to his special teams ability, his work as a receiver isn't the best.
This past season for Seattle, in nine games, Shaheed caught just 15 passes on 26 targets for 188 yards and no touchdowns. He also ran for 64 yards on seven attempts. In the playoffs, he caught just three of 10 targets for 78 yards while rushing for 22 on four attempts.
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While he wasn't a great receiver, his special teams production was great. He had one kickoff and punt return TD in the regular season, and then a playoff opening kickoff return TD against the San Francisco 49ers.
Getting Shaheed back is a nice move for the Seahawks in a vacuum, and ignoring the money was the right call. But spending $17 million per-year on a WR who doesn't catch many passes might be a bit of an overpay.
Middlehurst-Schwartz's concerns about Shaheed are valid, and $17 million per-year is a lot for a receiver who's not that involved in the offense.
But, considering his special teams production, and the potential for Shaheed to be more involved in the offense with a full offseason with the team instead of showing up mid-season, this overpay might not seem like such a signing next season.
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