Saints reportedly receiving trade interest on notable upcoming free agent

The New Orleans Saints are entering Week 6 with a 1-4 record. If they can’t get things turned around in the next few weeks, it would make sense for the team to be a seller at the November 4 trade deadline. Despite the record, the Saints have several talented players that contending teams would love to acquire for a playoff run. That’s evident in a recent report that New Orleans is already receiving calls about one of its players.

Andrew Fillipponi, of 93.7 The Fan, reported that the Pittsburgh Steelers have reached out to the Saints about speedy wide receiver Rashid Shaheed. According to Fillipponi, the Steelers used their bye week to check New Orleans' tempature about a possible trade.

Steelers reportedly reached out to Saints about Rashid Shaheed

Shaheed, currently in his fourth season, is a Pro Bowl returner, and an explosive wide receiver. In five games this season, he’s leading New Orleans with 288 receiving yards, on 22 catches, with two touchdowns. He’s been a top two receiver for the Saints in recent years, and one of the few bright spots on the team. Understanding that, it wouldn’t make sense for the Saints to trade him — especially since New Orleans is a team with young quarterback play.

However, Shaheed will be an unrestricted free agent after this season, so if the Saints get the inclination that they won’t be able to re-sign him, they could be tempted to get something for him before he leaves this offseason. If New Orleans is open to that, the Steelers, and several other teams will surely welcome Shaheed with open arms. That means the Saints need to get the best return possible if he is going to be moved.

Still, the best thing for New Orleans would be keeping him on the roster this season and beyond. Shaheed is a part of a promising young core, and the Saints need to keep that group together, even if things aren’t going well right now.