Bump: How Seahawks WR Shaheed can take a big step in ’26

As a returner, Rashid Shaheed was a game-changer during the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl run last season.

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After arriving from the New Orleans Saints in a November trade, the speedy Shaheed had two punt return touchdowns and a kick return score in 12 combined regular-season and postseason games with the Seahawks.

However, Shaheed didn’t have nearly the same level of production as a receiver with his new team. After tallying 44 catches for 499 yards and two TDs in New Orleans last year, he totaled just 18 catches for 266 yards in his 12 games with Seattle.

Yet, when the Seahawks re-signed Shaheed to a three-year, $51 million deal in March, it was a clear indication that they view the 27-year-old wideout as an integral part of their offense moving forward.

How can Shaheed take a significant step forward as a receiver this fall? According to Seahawks Radio Network analyst and former NFL wideout Michael Bumpus, one way is by mastering the dig route – which is when a receiver runs vertically 10-15 yards downfield and then breaks inside horizontally at a 90-degree angle.

Shaheed’s blazing speed makes him a constant threat to race past cornerbacks on vertical routes – as he did while hauling in a 51-yard reception early in the NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams.

Bumpus said Shaheed can use that vertical threat against cornerbacks to open up more intermediate targets.

“People are going to respect his speed,” Bumpus said during a Four Down Territory segment on Seattle Sports’ Bump and Stacy. “They’re going to turn their hips. They’re going to stay on top. So, if he can get used to pushing it downfield, breaking down and filling the space in the middle of the field, he could have a really big year.

“Anything in-breaking, he has the opportunity to be great because of his speed.”

Listen to the full Four Down Territory segment at this link or in the audio player above. Tune into Bump and Stacy weekdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.

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