Seattle's push for offensive consistency places wide receiver and return specialist Rashid Shaheed in focus against the Denver Broncos in Week 6.
A Seaside Joe preview dated October 15, 2026, said the Seahawks need more from Shaheed after signing him to a three-year, $51 million contract in March.
His recent output has trailed expectations, with nine catches for 96 receiving yards and no receiving touchdowns in the period covered by the preview.
He has also fumbled twice and has yet to produce a notable return for Seattle, adding to questions about his role before the Denver game.
Contract and Thursday Night Contrast
Shaheed's contract adds a financial dimension to the evaluation.
Seaside Joe reported that his $11.7 million salary becomes fully guaranteed if he remains on the roster five days after the Super Bowl.
Releasing him before that point would save Seattle more than $11 million.
His Thursday night history offers a different picture.
Across four career games on Thursday nights, he has produced touchdown catches of 53 and 45 yards, a 58-yard punt return touchdown, and a 31-yard rushing attempt that helped set up a score.
Those performances include a 2022 game with New Orleans, when he caught a 53-yard touchdown pass from Andy Dalton.
In a 2023 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, Derek Carr connected with him for a 45-yard score.
In his most recent Thursday appearance against the Rams, Shaheed returned a punt 58 yards before running for 31 yards on Seattle's next offensive play, helping set up a game-tying touchdown to A.
J. Barner.
Even with those highlights, Seattle has not consistently reproduced his previous receiving production.
In 14 regular-season games with the Seahawks, Shaheed has accumulated 284 receiving yards and no receiving touchdowns, although he scored a rushing touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4.
The Fantasy Footballers also reported a stretch of limited offensive involvement in a separate player update dated August 11, 2021.
That report said Shaheed had been held to two or fewer catches in four of five games, recording nine receptions on 19 targets for 96 yards, three carries for 37 yards and a touchdown, and 359 kick-return yards.
Seattle's Wider Offensive Outlook
Seattle's broader offensive outlook also depends on quarterback Sam Darnold and receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Seaside Joe projected Darnold for 233.06 passing yards and Smith-Njigba for 118.30 receiving yards, while anticipating that both could finish below those figures because of Denver's defensive pressure and coverage.
The preview identified Denver defensive lineman Zach Allen's matchup against Seattle's offensive line as a potential challenge for Darnold.
Smith-Njigba also faces cornerback Patrick Surtain II, although the preview noted that the receiver remains capable of producing a substantial yardage total.
At tight end, A. J.
Barner emerged as another potential contributor.
Seaside Joe selected Barner as its choice for Seattle's first touchdown and as its leading receiver among Seahawks players other than Smith-Njigba, citing Denver's reported difficulties defending tight ends.
Seattle's defensive expectations center on Byron Murphy II, Leonard Williams, and DeMarcus Lawrence.
Murphy and Williams each received 28.8% of the selections for the team's sack leader, while Murphy was Seaside Joe's choice to force a turnover against quarterback Bo Nix.
The preview predicted a 25-16 Seahawks victory but acknowledged concerns about turnovers.
It also identified Emanuel Wilson as a possible leading rusher, while noting that Denver's rushing-yard totals allowed can include substantial contributions from opposing quarterbacks and receivers.
