Surprise Player Becomes Seahawks’ Key X-Factor in Season’s Final Push

The Seattle Seahawks’ recent trade for wide receiver Rashid Shaheed has not yet met the high expectations set by fans and analysts. Acquired on November 4, 2023, during the trade deadline, Shaheed was expected to enhance the Seahawks’ offensive capabilities. Dubbed “The Legion of Zoom” before even stepping on the field, his early performance has been surprisingly modest.

Rashid Shaheed’s Performance So Far

Since his arrival, Shaheed has recorded only four receptions, totaling 37 receiving yards across four games. Before joining the Seahawks, he had maintained a strong performance with at least four catches in every game for the New Orleans Saints. Below is a summary of his game logs with Seattle:

• Week 10: 1 catch for 3 yards (versus Arizona Cardinals)
• Week 11: 2 catches for 27 yards (versus Los Angeles Rams)
• Week 12: 0 catches, 0 yards (versus Tennessee Titans)
• Week 13: 1 catch for 7 yards (versus Minnesota Vikings)

Despite having nine targets since his trade, Shaheed ranks fifth among Seahawks players in usage, managing around 50% of offensive snaps. Though he has opportunities on special teams as a punt and kick returner, his contributions have been limited.

Potential as the X-Factor

Amidst these struggles, Brady Henderson from ESPN labeled Shaheed as the Seahawks’ key X-factor for the remainder of the season. This comes at a time when fellow wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has experienced a drop in performance, highlighted by a season-low two catches against the Vikings.

The Seahawks (9-3) face challenging matchups in their upcoming schedule, with four opponents above .500. Their upcoming games include:

• Week 14: at Atlanta Falcons
• Week 15: vs. Indianapolis Colts
• Week 16: vs. Los Angeles Rams
• Week 17: at Carolina Panthers
• Week 18: at San Francisco 49ers

Although these teams feature defenses that rank in the middle of the pack in yardage allowed, the pressure on Smith-Njigba may lead to increased opportunities for Shaheed. If the opposition focuses on containing Smith-Njigba, Shaheed’s ability as a deep threat could be crucial in opening up the game for the Seahawks.

As the Seahawks navigate the final stretch of the season, the trade for Shaheed may yet prove pivotal in their pursuit of the NFC West title. With the potential for his role to grow, Shaheed remains an intriguing player to watch in Seattle’s playoff ambitions.