The Seahawks have Jaxon Smith-Njigba as their only legitimate weapon, but can someone else step up in 202?
Last season, as the Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl, it was the Jaxon Smith-Njigba show in the passing game.
An All-Pro season ended with an Offensive Player of the Year award for Jaxon; he was every bit a superstar in 2025.
But now, as we turn for the new season, the Seahawks need someone else to be his running mate. The numbers were so lopsided in JSN's favor last year that it isn't sustainable, given that defenses have had a full offseason to prepare to stop Sam Darnold's favorite weapon.
So, who can step up and be a legitimate No. 2 receiver?
Cooper Kupp is another year older, while Jake Bobo and Tory Horton are bit-part players.
For ESPN's Seth Walder, he's named special teams ace Rashid Shaheed as Seattle's 'X-Factor' who can develop into JSN's running mate.
"Rashid Shaheed," Walder wrote. "While Shaheed delivered a kick return touchdown in the playoffs, his receiving production after he was traded to Seattle was lower than expected. Shaheed recorded 1.8 yards per route run with the Saints in the first half of 2025 but only 1.1 with Seattle, postseason included.
"With a full offseason as a Seahawk, perhaps he can emerge as a productive No. 2 option behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba."
We know that Shaheed was primarily a special teamer under Klint Kubiak, but it has already been noticed under Brian Fleury that Shaheed is working a lot more with the offense this offseason on short and intermediate routes.
Shaheed has shown he can be a good source of production as a receiver, totaling over 700 yards and 5 TDs in 2023, so Fleury will be looking to unlock that in 2026.
Smith-Njigba will take the defense's attention, while Kupp is still a smart veteran who can find pockets of space for quick gains, but Shaheed can be the home-run threat, while also being a danger with the ball in his hands as a YAC merchant.
The question will be how Fleury will use Shaheed in the offense, but he is more than a one-trick pony.
Yes, he has the home-run speed, but getting the ball in his hands say, out of the backfield, or on screens could also see big gains for the offense.
There is a lot to be excited about as a Seahawks fan as they look to defend their title, but the potential emergence of Shaheed as a legitimate receiver, not just a gadget guy, could top the list.
