Our Seahawks are gearing up for the 2026 season, and guess who’s getting all the buzz as the top breakout candidate? It's none other than Rashid Shaheed, the dude who was an absolute missile in the return game last season, snagging an All-Pro honor for the Emerald City. While he was electric bringing kicks and punts back, Shaheed hasn’t exactly blown up as a wide receiver yet, not for us, and not even back with the Saints. But The Athletic’s Saad Yousuf is calling his shot, saying this is the year he finally takes off in the passing game, and honestly, we can see it.
The Seahawks’ WR Room Just Opened The Door
Think about it: Jaxon Smith-Njigba just had his breakout year in 2025, right? So defenses are gonna be laser-focused on stopping him this season. That’s huge for Shaheed because it means more opportunities could be coming his way. Then there’s Cooper Kupp. We love the veteran reliability, but let’s be real, he’s getting older and he’s missed at least five games in three seasons before last year. His usage might not be what it once was for Seattle. When you put it all together, the dynamic of our wide receiver room has completely shifted, creating a perfect storm for Shaheed to finally get the targets he needs to shine. He had a really limited role in his first year with our offense, putting up just 188 receiving yards with no touchdowns on 15 catches in nine games. Even in the playoffs, he only hauled in three passes for 78 yards. That’s about to change.Brian Fleury's Vision Could Unlock Shaheed
The biggest wild card here has to be new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury. The guy spent seven years in San Francisco under Kyle Shanahan, and if anyone knows how to maximize dynamic weapons, it's someone from that system. Fleury’s coming in with a fresh perspective and a clear path to utilize Shaheed's insane athleticism in a way we haven't seen before. Combine that coaching change with Smith-Njigba drawing all the defensive attention and Kupp’s uncertain usage, and Shaheed has a clear runway to a breakout season. Look, Yousuf isn't saying he’s gonna hit 1,000 yards or bag 10 touchdowns this year, but he thinks Shaheed could easily set career-highs. We're talking at least 60 receptions, at least 720 yards, and at least six touchdowns. That’s a massive jump from his 2025 output of 188 yards and zero scores. The potential is absolutely there for our All-Pro returner to become a bona fide threat in the passing game. We can't wait to see what Fleury cooks up for him, and for Shaheed to make some serious noise when the season kicks off. Get ready, 12s, because this fall is gonna be fun!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.