Browns must sign this Super Bowl champion in free agency, says ESPN insider
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Browns must sign this Super Bowl champion in free agency, says ESPN insider originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Browns have a lot on their plate this offseason, which includes a major offensive rebuild. ESPN released their “one free agent” that each team should sign, and it was a Super Bowl champion designated to Cleveland.
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It’s Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed as the must sign target according to analyst Aaron Schatz. Can the 27-year old be the addition to jump start both the Browns uninspiring offense and terrible special teams?
The logic is simple. In 2025, Cleveland’s special teams were a disaster, ranking dead last (32nd) in punt return value and 28th in kick return value, according to Schatz’s DVOA metrics. Shaheed, an All-Pro return threat, is the ultimate "fix-it" button for a unit that desperately needs a spark.
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However, this isn’t just about the return game. Shaheed has evolved into a legitimate vertical threat. Last season, split between the Saints and the Lombardi Trophy winning Seahawks, he posted 687 receiving yards—more than any single Browns receiver in 2025.
Why the Move Makes Sense
- The Price Tag: Shaheed’s average annual salary in the $8 million to $14 million range. For a dynamic WR2/returner hybrid, that’s a fair price in today’s market.
- The Age Factor: At just 27, Shaheed is entering his prime, offering Cleveland a multi-year solution rather than a one-year band-aid.
- Draft Flexibility: Signing Shaheed takes the pressure off GM Andrew Berry to reach for a wideout at sixth overall. Instead of being forced into a receiver, the Browns could pivot to a franchise left tackle or a defensive cornerstone.
Ultimately, this move is about the "ripple effect" on the depth chart. Partnering a vertical threat like Shaheed with the route-running of Jerry Jeudy, the explosive potential of second-year man Isaiah Bond, and a high-upside rookie could instantly turn Cleveland's receiver core from a glaring weakness into a premier AFC strength.
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