Saints Give WR Rashid Shaheed One-Year Extension

After tendering exclusive rights free agent Rashid Shaheed, the Saints have agreed to extend the first-team All-Pro for an additional season, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. They settled his 2024 contract with the tender in March and, apparently, decided to deal with his situation for 2025 this offseason, as well.

The tender offer from New Orleans guaranteed that Shaheed will be on the roster in 2024. As an exclusive rights free agent, Shaheed essentially only had a take-it-or-leave-it option. With the team deciding to make a tender offer, a one-year contract at the value of the league minimum for a three-year veteran, Shaheed was unable to negotiate with other teams and was required to sign the deal in order to play in 2024.

That seemed like a bit of a cruel way to reward your first-team All-Pro return man. Over two years after going undrafted out of Weber State, Shaheed has solidified himself as a reliable WR2 behind Chris Olave and established himself as one of the league’s best current return men. Especially with the rule changes in the return game coming next year, having a returner you can depend on is a must.

Shaheed isn’t just a returner, though. In 2023, his 719-receiving yard total was second on the team, and he matched Olave for the team-lead in receiving touchdowns. With a punt return for a touchdown, as well, his six total touchdowns tied Alvin Kamara and Taysom Hill for the team-lead in total scores, as well.

To properly reward Shaheed for his efforts, New Orleans has signed him to a one-year extension worth $5.2MM. Shaheed was set to become a restricted free agent following this season, and his new extension helps both parties avoid that situation. The $5.2MM projects somewhere between the values of a first- and second-round RFA tender for next year, so the Saints are avoiding the tedium of the future while locking down Shaheed and rewarding him by guaranteeing that he’ll be under contract for another two years.