Shaheed, who spent his first three-and-a-half seasons with the Saints before being traded last year, compared the in-season switch to “jumping on a moving train, especially with these guys and the trajectory they were on last year. You’ve got to figure it out quick. Just being able to come in and be myself, the guys helped me out with that, the coaches helped me out with that, so now I’ve just got to continue to gain momentum through this year.”
After catching 44 passes for 499 yards in nine games with the Saints last season, Shaheed had just 15 catches for 188 yards in nine with the Seahawks, but he definitely had no complaints about the move. Not only was Shaheed a big factor on special teams, the threat of his big-play ability was also a factor in the run game improvements the Seahawks had late in the season. And of course, that trade also led to Shaheed winning a title after missing the postseason in each of his first three seasons.
“Coming here and becoming a Super Bowl champion, you couldn’t really write it any better. I just felt like I was able to come in and help the best way I could. That definitely gave me confidence going into this year.”
In addition to the work Shaheed and Darnold have gotten in during offseason workouts and now training camp, the two Southern California natives also got some work in together in Orange County during the break before camp.
“We got some good work in,” Shaheed said. “… That helps a ton, just getting timing down, just being able to work with your quarterback outside of the facility is always a good thing. I’m building chemistry, getting timing down, and I’m looking forward to continuing to build through this time in camp.
“Having a full year now and getting more familiar with the system is definitely helping, it’s allowing me to play a lot faster, think a lot less, just allowing all of us to be ourselves. So many players are going to get opportunities to get the ball, and I’m excited to just be a part of it.”
It’s still early in camp, but the progress has been pretty evident as Darnold and Shaheed put that improved chemistry on display.
“For the folks that watched our practices in the spring, to see the improvement in the timing between him and Sam, it was really exciting going into the offseason, and I think they’ve picked up right where they left off,” Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. “I know they put in some work this offseason as well throughout the summer, and that’s definitely paying dividends. Look, it’s something that we just have to keep attacking. What are the ways we can get him the ball? What are his top routes? How’s the timing work out? All those types of things. That’s why you need all these reps so you can have a great understanding of that, so when we’re playing our real games, we’re just doing what we’ve been practicing this whole time.”
Added receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, “”I’m happy he gets to have a full offseason and a training camp. Excited for him. Him getting connected with Sam as well. Taking that Year 2 step is going to be big for all of us, especially in the receiver room.”