Will Rashid Shaheed Return the Super Bowl Opening Kickoff for a Touchdown? Odds & Predictions
Super Bowl 2026 will feature one of the league's most dangerous kick returners, which begs the question: will Rashid Shaheed return the Super Bowl opening kickoff for a touchdown?
I'm exploring the latest betting odds and the history of kick returns in the Super Bowl as part of our Super Bowl predictions. Kickoff for Seahawks vs. Patriots is at 6:30 p.m. ET (NBC, Peacock) tonight from Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, with the Seahawks a 4.5-point betting favorite.
📊 Super Bowl kickoff return touchdown odds
Super Bowl kickoff return touchdown odds courtesy of bet365.
| Prop | Odds (bet365) | Implied probability | Profit on $10 bet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening kickoff returned for TD | +4000 | 2.44% | $400 |
| Any kickoff returned for TD | +1400 | 6.67% | $140 |
📜 Has the Super Bowl opening kickoff ever been returned for a touchdown?
The opening kickoff has only been returned once for a touchdown in Super Bowl history. The Chicago Bears' Devin Hester returned fellow Hall of Famer Adam Vinatieri's opening kickoff 92 yards to the house in 2006. Unfortunately for Hester, the Bears went on to lose Super Bowl 41 to Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts.
There have been 10 total kickoff returns for touchdowns in the Super Bowl, accomplished by 10 different players. The most recent was scored by the Seahawks' Percy Harvin in 2014 in Seattle's win over the Denver Broncos.
Super Bowl 35 in 2001 featured two kickoff return touchdowns, one each by the Ravens and Giants.
🔥 Will Rashid Shaheed return the Super Bowl opening kickoff for a touchdown?
As I explained in how to bet on the Super Bowl opening kickoff odds, the new "dynamic kickoff" rules have resulted in fewer touchbacks. That means if the Seahawks receive the opening kickoff, Rashid Shaheed will likely get the opportunity to return it. And the speedy Shaheed is dangerous with the ball in his hands.
Shaheed has scored two of the seven total kickoff return touchdowns in the NFL this season, including the opening kickoff against the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round.
You can't be super confident backing something to happen that's only occurred once in Super Bowl history. But Shaheed is one of the most dangerous returners we've seen reach the Big Game in some time.
Given that, I don't mind placing a small wager on this major long shot to hit. A $10 bet at bet365's +4000 odds would win a $400 profit, with an implied probability of just 2.44%.
📺 How to watch Seahawks vs. Patriots: Super Bowl 2026
- Date: Sunday, Feb. 8
- Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara, Calif)
- TV: NBC, Peacock
📃 Affiliate disclosure
Sportsbook Review may receive a commission if you sign up through our links. Not intended for use in MA. Bonuses not applicable in Ontario. 21+ only. (Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
Related Articles
