RENTON, Wash. (AP) \u2014 Rashid Shaheed could very well be a half-season rental for the Seattle Seahawks as they go for the team\u2019s first playoff appearance since 2022.<\/p>\n
Shaheed was acquired in a trade with New Orleans on Tuesday for two draft picks. The fourth-year receiver is well on his way to a career year in the final season of his contract.<\/p>\n
The 27-year-old Shaheed would like for his success to lead to a new deal with the 6-2 Seahawks at the end of this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m here to stay,\u201d Shaheed said Wednesday. \u201cSo, I\u2019m excited to see if we can figure something out after the season ends. But, yeah, I\u2019m excited.\u201d<\/p>\n
First up for Shaheed is Sunday\u2019s matchup with the Arizona Cardinals. He had 44 catches for 499 yards and two touchdowns with the Saints this season, as well as a combined 158 return yards on punts and kickoffs.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a great opportunity to add to our team,\u201d Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. \u201cDidn\u2019t feel like we were missing something. Not like we were trying to plug holes or anything like that. Just an opportunity to get a great player and augment what we were doing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shaheed hails from a family of track athletes, including his parents and both sisters.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was just kind of born to run,\u201d Shaheed said. \u201cIt\u2019s a big part of my game, and I try to focus on that as much as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Seattle\u2019s offense, which has racked up the ninth-most passing yards in the league and features the NFL\u2019s leading receiver in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the hope is for Shaheed to provide quarterback Sam Darnold with another downfield threat.<\/p>\n
Cooper Kupp, the Seahawks\u2019 second-leading receiver, did not practice Wednesday. If Kupp\u2019s injury turns out to be serious, the burden would only increase for Smith-Njigba.<\/p>\n
As such, Shaheed is eager to help out. He has already heard about Smith-Njigba from former Saints teammate Chris Olave, who played with him at Ohio State.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to be a lot of fun,\u201d Shaheed said. \u201cI\u2019m excited to team up with him. He\u2019s had a great year so far, a great career. I\u2019m just excited to be able to share the same field, as well as the rest of his offense to come together, and win some games.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shaheed doesn\u2019t think his transition to the Seahawks\u2019 offense will be terribly difficult. Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak served in the same capacity with the Saints last year, which was his first season as an NFL offensive coordinator.<\/p>\n
Shaheed said the Seahawks\u2019 playbook is \u201cpretty much the same\u201d as the one the Saints used last season, and that he anticipates quickly picking up the playbook\u2019s verbiage.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m super glad to be connected back with (Kubiak),\u201d Shaheed said. \u201cHe\u2019s familiar with me. He knows my strengths, and I know what his mindset is going into games. It shouldn\u2019t be too hard to get acclimated with him and just find my role in the offense.\u201d<\/p>\n
It remains to be seen what role Shaheed will assume. That\u2019s nothing new for Shaheed, though, who went undrafted after a five-year collegiate career at FCS Weber State. He has long relished opportunities to put his head down and keep working hard, and in turn be an example for others of how any player can make it out from anywhere.<\/p>\n
Unlike in New Orleans, where Shaheed had to claw for a roster spot, he arrives in Seattle as a proven commodity. It\u2019s a new setup altogether, but one that Shaheed is quite appreciative of \u2014 and hopes will become his long-term home.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust excited about the journey, excited to be here and excited to be a part of this organization,\u201d Shaheed said. \u201cSo far, it\u2019s been nothing but welcoming and just feeling good right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
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AP NFL: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/nfl and https:\/\/twitter.com\/AP_NFL<\/p>\n
Andrew Destin, The Associated Press<\/p>\n