It appears one of the most explosive weapons on Mike Macdonald's team is going to test the free agent market.
One of the hardest things to do in any given year is to keep your roster the same for the following season, and for a Super Bowl champion like the Seattle Seahawks, it is even harder.
Not only does the franchise have to worry about trying to get better on the field, but it also has to potentially fend off interest for a host of its own free agents.
When it comes to the Seahawks, it is expected that the franchise will say goodbye to a handful of free agents. Not because they want to, but because the price for their proposed new contracts is a little too rich.
Yes, the Seahawks have cap space, but they must choose how to use it wisely, and when it comes to stud returner and receiver Rashid Shaheed, Seattle might be forced to say goodbye.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Seahawks and Shaheed are not close to an extension and that the returner/receiver is set to hit the free agency market.
So that is a little bit of a bummer as Shaheed emerged as a difference-maker for both the offense and special teams since he swapped New Orleans for Seattle mid-season.
But I can hear fans asking why Shaheed could be allowed to walk out the door. He won't cost the franchise that much, will he?
Well, it is here that fans will understand why the Seahawks are prepared to let Rashid leave next week.
ESPN's Brady Henderson posted on X that he spoke with an agent and that Shaheed could get up to $18 million APY on his next contract.
That is a hefty price tag for a player who will be seen to have a bit-part role on Seattle's roster in 2026.
Henderson also added that Cooper Kupp is set to make $13 million next season and there is Jaxon Smith-Njigba's expected new contract coming down the pipeline too.
So, the Seahawks are going to need to have ample cap space to sign JSN to what many think could be a market-setting contract.
We add that to the potential $18 million APY contract Shaheed could get, and that salary cap pie begins to shrink rather fast.
Plus, we haven't even mentioned other free agents like Kenneth Walker and Boye Mafe either.
Money is always a big factor in keeping free agents, and in Shaheed's case, it will likely be a big reason why he will be on another team in 2026.