The Seattle Seahawks avoided overpaying running back Kenneth Walker and edge rusher Boye Mafe during 2026 NFL free agency. Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport called the free agency deals Walker and Mafe received each one of the worst of the 2026 NFL offseason. But the Seahawks arguably still overpaid for a free agent — wide receiver Rashid Shaheed.
In addition to the pair of former Seahawks, Shaheed made Davenport’s list of 10 worst free-agent signings of the 2026 NFL offseason.
The Seahawks signed Shaheed to a 3-year, $51 million contract to come back to Seattle. That gives the depth receiver and punt returner a $17 million average annual salary.
“That’s a lot of cheese to give a player who caught 15 passes in nine games for the Seahawks in 2025,” wrote Davenport.
“That’s right, 15 catches.
“Shaheed admittedly averaged over 25 yards a catch in the postseason last year, but that was on all of three receptions.
“Unless his role on offense grows exponentially in 2026, this is an overpay—and a rare mistake by Schneider.”
This is the second time this offseason the Seahawks received criticism for inking Shaheed to the $51 million deal. Pro Football Focus’s Zoltán Buday referred to it as his “least favorite” from the Seahawks 2026 offseason.
“The Seahawks made Shaheed the 27th-highest-paid wide receiver after they traded for him during the 2025 season,” Buday wrote. “However, if Shaheed’s role does not increase, then this is an overpay for a situational player who offers more on special teams.
“Shaheed saw more than five targets in just one out of his 12 games with the Seahawks this past season, and he tallied fewer than 30 receiving yards in five of his last six games.”
Seahawks Offered WR Rashid Shaheed $51 Million Contract to Retain Playmaker
GettyThe Seattle Seahawks re-signed Rashid Shaheed to a 3-year, $51 million contract.
Shaheed’s receiving statistics are unlikely to justify his $51 million deal. But one has to take into account the playmaker’s special teams impact.
His punt return for a touchdown was a main catalyst in Seattle’s Week 16 comeback victory against the Los Angeles Rams. Without it, the Seahawks might have played on the road throughout the postseason.
Shaheed also returned a kickoff for a touchdown in the NFC divisional round.
In 2023, Shaheed made first-team All-Pro with the New Orleans Saints as a returner. He has All-Pro potential on the unit next season for Seattle.
It’s hard to put a price on highlight reel special teams plays. Yes, teams don’t spend $17 million per season on a punt returner.
But perhaps with a full offseason to learn the Seahawks playbook, Shaheed will be more involved on offense, in addition to special teams, in 2026.
Shaheed 1 of 3 Seahawks Free Agents on ‘Worst Offseason Contracts’ List
GettyBleacher Report’s Gary Davenport called the free agency contract for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed one of the worst of the 2026 NFL offseason.
Interestingly, Davenport’s list of worst offseason contracts were filled with 2026 Seahawks free agents.
According to the BR analyst, the Seahawks avoided overpaying Walker and Mafe.
Walker received a big contract after winning Super Bowl MVP.
“Walker is being paid like a bell-cow running back. But to date, he hasn’t shown that he can actually be one,” wrote Davenport.
Davenport sees pundits considering Mafe as overpaid in 2026 as well.
“This could be a case of the Bengals seeing what they wanted to see—a team hoping Mafe could recapture the form that saw him post nine sacks back in 2023,” wrote Davenport. “But he had just eight sacks over the past two seasons combined and played his fewest snaps in 2025 since his rookie year.”
Free agents from Super Bowl winning teams have the potential to cash in the following offseason. Shaheed, Walker and Mafe scored the biggest pay raises that they now have to justify next season.
Seahawks Get Harsh Warning on Rashid Shaheed’s $51 Million Contract