Rashid Shaheed, Seattle Seahawks
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(Photo by Jane Gershovich/Getty Images)
The Seattle Seahawks could be losing a key piece of their Super Bowl-winning team in the coming days, as free agency nears. Rashid Shaheed can test the open market, and with no deal in sight with the Seahawks as of now, the 27-year-old could have plenty of suitors.
On March 4,ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that speedy wide receiver and return specialist Shaheed is not close to a contract extension with the Seahawks andis expected to test the market when NFL free agency opens next week. Shaheed is one of Seattle’s six pending free agents who could step into a starting role.
Nonetheless, the question that the Seahawks need to ask themselves is whether they want to pay Shaheed long-term. CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson doesn’t see this happening and believes that the New England Patriots, especially after cutting ties with Stefon Diggs, makes sense.
“I would love for [Shaheed] to make his way to Foxborough because he is a deep threat through and through,” Wilson said on the March 5 edition of CBS Sports HQ. “Healso is a dangerous return guy.We sawthat not only this year, once he arrived in Seattle, but we’ve seen it throughout his career when he was in New Orleans. And one thing the Patriots don’t have is a ton of possession receivers.
“They don’t have anyone that can stretch the field. I know Kayshon Boutte did that at times last year, but that’s not really his game. So I love the idea of getting Shahid. He’ll come relatively cheap, quotation marks. He won’t cost as much as Alec Pierce is gonna cost.”
Seahawks Ready to Make Challenging Decisions
After a midseason trade between Seattle and the New Orleans Saints, Shaheed has recorded 15 catches for 188 yards and two touchdowns across nine games with the Seahawks. He also earned a second Pro Bowl selection to go along with his first career Super Bowl.
Despite his contributions, Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider sat down withSeattle Sports’ “Wyman and Bob“ on March 5 and noted that the team can’t sign all their pending free agents.
“Your empathy level at this time of the year is through the roof, because we have so many amazing people,“ Schneider said. “… We do such a great job of building these relationships and this cool bond you have, and then, you know, it’s just hard.
“But at some point, you have to make these decisions and keep putting the best 70 players together and moving forward. That stuff’s hard, but it’s part of our job. And what guides us (is) doing what’s best for the organization. … Because you feel that right now. You feel it.”
Seattle Don’t Want to Use All Their Cap Space
Schneider outlined his philosophy on free agency, saying the focus is on building the strongest possible 70-man roster, including the 53-man active roster and 17-man practice squad.
The Seahawks general manager also stressed the need to preserve enough salary cap and cash flexibility so the team can make moves during the season, including potential additions ahead of the trade deadline.
“You have to be pliableand you have to be ready to pivot,“ Schneider said. “… It’s like, what’s the guy’s value for us? Like, his value around the league, that’s that. What’s his value for us and how do we fit thatin to our budget, to a certain extent, but (while) keeping that whole 70 together and having the best 53-man roster and 70 guys? What does that look like in totality?
“Like, how can we maximize this guy’s earning power, as well as keeping as many people together as we possibly can?“ he added. “… And then still having some available cap room (and) a little bit of cash for (when) you get to the trade deadline, so you can still do things at that time of the year, because then you have a little bit better feel for where you’re going and what your team looks like.”