Ahead of the NFL trade deadline, the Seattle Seahawks were able to pull off a deal with the New Orleans Saints to acquire wide receiver and kick returner Rashid Shaheed. It was considered a solid deal for the Seahawks at the time, and now it looks even better after the win over the division rival San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs.
Shaheed has had some electric plays for the Seahawks since joining the team, but none were bigger or more impactful than his kick-return touchdown to start the game and establish momentum for Seattle.
Rashid Shaheed Opens Up About Playing for Seahawks
GettyRashid Shaheed #22 of the Seattle Seahawks
After Saturday’s game in Seattle, several of Shaheed’s teammates were asked about the dynamic playmaker’s touchdown. Star wide receiver Jaxson Smith-Njigba admitted he was in “awe” watching that touchdown run.
“Honestly, I was just in awe,” Smith-Njigba said of Shaheed’s touchdown. “I was like ‘Wow, good for him.’ He’s electric, and he’s added something to this team that’s special. I appreciate that boy right there, yes sir!”
Star defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence also shared his thoughts on seeing Shaheed’s game-opening touchdown.
“Oh man, just seeing him sliding down the sideline,” Lawrence said of Shaheed. “The defense were grabbing our helmets, we were ready to go out there and get the ball again. It’s just a testament to the camaraderie that we’re going to build here in Seattle, and we’re just going to keep playing Seahawks football.”
Along with his teammates expressing their amazement about the touchdown, Shaheed talked about what it has been like playing for the Seahawks after being traded by the Saints earlier in the season.
“It means everything,” Shaheed said of playing for Seattle. “Just to come out here and be part of this team, it’s super special. Being a part of the wide receiver room, it’s nothing like I’ve ever experienced and it’s been nothing but a dream come true. We’ve just got to keep stacking wins.”
Seahawks React to Sam Darnold’s Performance
GettySam Darnold #14 of the Seattle Seahawks
Shaheed wasn’t the only one turning heads during Saturday’s blowout win against the 49ers; veteran quarterback Sam Darnold played through an oblique injury and did enough to help this team advance to the NFC Championship Game.
“Toughness and resilience,” Shaheed said of Darnold. “He is a leader and the captain of this team. He came out and he wasn’t feeling 100 percent, but he played a great game and that’s all we could ask for.”
Star wide receiver Cooper Kupp also opened up about what he saw from Darnold during the win-or-go-home matchup against San Francisco.
“I don’t think he cares about any of that,” Kupp said. “He’s there for the guys, he’s there to play football, play the game that he loves, and lead us. I think he takes that approach, you can see how he goes about his business, when he’s in the film room, when he’s going about his preparation with the coaches, the questions he’s asking, the things that he’s pushing. It’s not just this is what they said to do, I’m going to do it, it’s how can we make this better. The things in this conversation, it’s easy to communicate from coaches to players, but when players are communicating with coaches, you can take things to the next level. He’s done a great job of that, and will continue to do that.”
With Darnold and company getting the big win over their division rivals, they’ll await the winner of the Sunday showdown between the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams, both of whom proved to be formidable opponents during the 2025 campaign.
Seahawks WR Rashid Shaheed Sends Emotional Message After Win Over 49ers