Vikings Emerge as a Landing Spot for Playmaker WR
Depending on the outcome of Jalen Nailor’s free agency in March, the Minnesota Vikings may need a wide receiver from the open market in six weeks. Thanks to CBS Sports, Zachary Pereles knows just the guy: Seattle Seahawks wideout Rashid Shaheed, who will compete for a Super Bowl in 11 days.
Minnesota has stars, but it still lacks true burner juice, and Shaheed’s profile matches what the offense is missing.
Pereles outlined landing spots for all the league’s top free agents, and for Shaheed, Minnesota got the nod.
Shaheed Would Add Speed That Minnesota Still Lacks
A miniature Shaheed rumor mill is born.
CBS Sports on Shaheed’s FA Fits
After landing with Seattle via trade a few months ago, Shaheed is scheduled to hit the open market five weeks after the Super Bowl.
Examining his free agency, Pereles wrote, “Seattle traded multiple picks at the trade deadline to acquire Shaheed, and while he hasn’t had as big a role as expected on offense, he has been terrific as a returner with three return touchdowns (including playoffs). Other suitors: Rams, Giants, Vikings.”
The Vikings don’t have much salary cap space as of late January, but no fan would be too upset about a Shaheed signing.
Vikings Need More Speed, and Shaheed Is That
Justin Jefferson is a Top One or Top Two wide receiver in the NFL. Jordan Addison — when he’s not getting in trouble — is one of the best WR2s in all the land. But neither possesses utterly deadly speed.
The aforementioned Nailor may be the fastest player on offense, but ask yourself, when’s the last time you saw Nailor break away with speed for a touchdown? It doesn’t really happen.
Conversely, Shaheed does break away with speed, and the Vikings just need more of it, especially if Nailor departs. In that vein, CBS Sports might be onto something with Shaheed to Minnesota.
Shaheed can also be used as an impactful return man. USA Today‘s Tyler Nettuno noted this week, “The fourth-year former undrafted prospect out of Weber State had 499 receiving yards in nine games with the New Orleans Saints this season, who shipped him off to Seattle for a couple of Day 3 picks.”
“That move proved to be an impactful one as Shaheed has played a sizable role in helping the Seahawks reach the NFC Championship Game. Though Shaheed’s receiving production has been limited in his time with Seattle — he has just 188 yards and is yet to record a catch in the postseason — his main impact has come on special teams, where he’s demonstrated once again that he’s among the league’s best returners.”
Minnesota has return man Myles Price on tap for kicks and punts in 2026, but a Shaheed acquisition might question that assumption.
Nettuno continued, “A First-Team All-Pro punt returner in 2023, Shaheed was named to his second Pro Bowl this season. He had 418 yards on kick returns and 210 yards on punt returns, recording a touchdown in each category.”
“His presence was felt in the Seahawks’ first playoff win over the San Francisco 49ers, as he returned the opening kickoff for six and set the tone for what turned into a 41-6 blowout win. On his two kick returns in that game, he totaled 126 yards.”
Shaheed reportedly has 4.3 speed.
The WR Room with Shaheed
For the sake of argument, pretend that Pereles is right. The Vikings’ 2026 WR room would look something like this:
- Justin Jefferson
- Jordan Addison
- Rashid Shaheed
- Tai Felton
- Myles Price
- Jeshaun Jones
- Dontae Fleming
- Joaquin Davis
Minnesota would have Jefferson and Addison available to do most of the damage, with Shaheed and Felton bringing the heat with a need for speed.
This setup would actually work out marvelously, particularly if the Vikings settle on a dependable QB1 for 2026.
Aaron Rodgers Also Mentioned
Don’t look now, but Pereles also connected Minnesota to Rodgers. Yes, him.
Foremost, he predicted Rodgers to retire, but added this caveat: “If Rodgers does surprisingly stick around, it will be interesting to see who shows interest in a 42-year-old quarterback who has been either injured or below average the last three years.”
“Rodgers still takes care of the ball well, but he isn’t mobile, nor does he stand strong in the pocket and deliver downfield like he used to. Other suitors: Vikings, Steelers.”
Rodgers was an intense occupant of the Vikings’ 2025 offseason rumor mill before signing with the Steelers and later losing embarrassingly in Round 1 of the postseason.
NFL free agency is 40 days away.
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