The Seahawks are pouncing in a wide-open NFC.
Seattle acquired receiver Rashid Shaheed from the struggling Saints, the teams announced.
The trade gives the Seahawks, who are tied with the Rams for the best record in both the NFC and the NFC West with their 6-2 record, a solid veteran to pair with star No. 1 receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
The Saints traded Rashi Shaheed to the Seahawks. APFor the 1-8 Saints, projected to snag the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft entering Week 10, it gives them additional assets while they seemingly embrace their rebuild process.
They received fourth- and fifth-round picks in the 2026 draft.
Seattle has emerged this year as a legit contender to thanks to strong play from veteran quarterback Sam Darnold and the ascension of Smith-Njigba, who leads the NFL in receiving yards.
While there are plenty of solid teams in the conference, the Eagles, Packers, Rams and Buccaneers all have flaws and are dealing with injuries.
Seattle is hoping this trade can give it a complementary piece since the offseason free-agent acquisition of Cooper Kupp has not panned out.
Kupp has just 24 catches for 293 yards and one touchdown in seven games, and just missed the team’s 38-14 road win over the Commanders with an injury.
Fifth-round rookie Tory Horton has impressed when given chances, but he’s not a proven asset.
Shaheed has a solid track record and, in theory, should open up defenses even more for Smith-Njigba due to his lightning speed.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads the NFL in receiving yards. Getty ImagesThe speedster has 44 catches for 499 yards and two scores this year while playing for a Saints offense that does not have much of an aerial attack.
He is in the final year of his contract.
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For New Orleans, moving Shaheed allows it to get more assets for a pending free agent at time when the future of their franchise looks uncertain.
The Saints just turned to quarterback Tyler Shough, their second-round draft pick, and he will have the rest of the season to show if the franchise should draft another new quarterback in 2026.
Of course, the overarching narrative for the Saints is whether they will be in position to draft local son Arch Manning when he declares.
Most pundits believe Manning will enter the 2027 NFL Draft.
