March 4, 2026, 6:49 p.m. CT

Here we go. Former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed was the talk of the NFL trade deadline last November, having been dealt to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a couple of picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. Shaheed helped Seattle win a Super Bowl, but they could lose him next week in free agency. ESPN’s Adam Schefter shares that Shaheed “is said to not be close to an extension with the Seahawks” which will set him up to talk shop with other teams once the legal negotiating window opens on Monday.

Still, Seattle can’t be too disappointed. Shaheed scored three return touchdowns on just 33 opportunities and created eight explosive plays on 29 touches, Mookie Alexander noted for SB Nation’s Field Gulls. He looked like a natural fit in Klint Kubiak’s offense (picking up where they left off with the Saints in 2024). Don’t be shocked if Kubiak’s Las Vegas Raiders make a run at Shaheed in free agency to get his new quarterback an experienced big-play threat.

Could a New Orleans reunion make sense? Both sides would probably welcome it if the price were right, but if that were the case the Saints would have extended Shaheed’s contract when they weren’t bidding against other teams. He’s going to make hay on the open market. It’s a good thing they traded him when they did, getting back two picks in the fourth and fifth rounds of this year’s draft, rather than hoping for a fourth-round compensatory pick a year from now by holding onto him. Shaheed has earned every dollar he’s about to make on a new contract. Don’t expect him to return to the black and gold and settle for less.

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