Aggressiveness pays off big time for the Seahawks, paving the way for a monster rivalry win in the playoffs
Rashid Shaheed trade is exactly what the Seahawks needed, and the playoffs are showing that.
Sometimes, teams may be scared of spending too many resources in one year. But when it makes sense and it has the potential to be a long-term investment, the reward potential is simply higher than the risk.
When Seattle Seahawks president of football operations and general manager John Schneider traded fourth- and fifth-round picks to acquire Rashid Shaheed from the New Orleans Saints, you could argue that it was too rich for half a season of a role player. But the Seahawks saw something else.
They saw the complementary skill set to what the offense already had in Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp. They projected how impactful tertiary receivers can be in the playoffs — especially explosive ones. And they understood the value Shaheed could bring to the table as a kick returner.
On Saturday night, the bet paid off hugely, and Shaheed was one of the big reasons why the Seahawks destroyed the rivals San Francisco 49ers, advancing to the NFC Championship Game with a massive, statement 41-6 win.
A special night for Rashid Shaheed
On the very first play of the game, Rashid Shaheed had an amazing touchdown return on the opening kickoff. That had 2013 Percy Harvin vibes all over it.
But Shaheed’s contributions didn’t stop on special teams. He drove a defensive pass interference that set up the first touchdown, and had a huge 30-yard run on an end-around to keep a drive alive later in the first half.
Bright future
Based only on what Shaheed has done so far for the Seahawks, the trade was already well worth it.
But there’s another benefit to it. Even after the season is over, hopefully for the Seahawks with another Lombardi Trophy, Seattle will have two months ahead of the market with the opportunity to extend him. It’s a 27-year-old player with plenty of gas left in the tank and obvious potential to contribute in multiple areas. This is not a concern at the moment, but it’s something that Schneider had to consider when he pulled the trigger on the move.
The short-term results of the deadline trade have been tremendous. And the potential for long-term help is still there.
Sometimes, aggressiveness just pays off.
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