- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,151,204
- Reaction score
- 59
One of the most divisive Seattle Seahawks players in recent memory was cornerback Riq Woolen. An immensely talented athlete who often drew the ire of the 12th Man for inexplicable lapses in coverage... and judgement. When Woolen was living up to his potential, he was a true game-changer in the secondary. Unfortunately, there were moments where it almost felt as if he simply took plays off.
I can point directly to losses against the Rams, Niners and Vikings where Woolen was responsible for surrendering the game-losing touchdown. He also very nearly could have potentially cost the Seahawks the NFC Championship game as well, when he was flagged for taunting on fourth down, giving the Rams new life... then immediately giving up a touchdown on the very next play. In an instant, Seattle's 31-20 lead evaporated into 31-27.
Fortunately for Woolen, the Seahawks ultimately prevailed and he was spared the fate of being one of the biggest pariahs in the history of Seattle sports. However, redemption was not found in the form of a new contract extension from the team that drafted him. The Seahawks let Woolen walk in free agency, and he landed with the Philadelphia Eagles on a one-year, $15 million dollar deal.
If early reports prove to be a solid indicator of how Woolen will perform in the City of Brotherly Love, could the Seahawks potentially have regrets for allowing him to leave? According to Zach Berman, a reporter who covers the Eagles for The Athletic, Woolen has been a standout at Philly's OTA's.
We at Seahawks Wire wish Woolen the best of luck in Philadelphia (except for when the Eagles play Seattle) and we hope a change in scenery is what he needs to live up to his full potential. But we also think the Seahawks were smart to move on. If nothing else, the money they saved by not re-signing Woolen was immediately reinvested in keeping Rashid Shaheed and giving extensions to Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Derick Hall. Additionally, the Seahawks likely found his immediate replacement with Julian Neal from Arkansas in the third round of the 2026 NFL draft.
This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Philadelphia Eagles CB Riq Woolen receiving praise at OTA practices
Continue reading...
I can point directly to losses against the Rams, Niners and Vikings where Woolen was responsible for surrendering the game-losing touchdown. He also very nearly could have potentially cost the Seahawks the NFC Championship game as well, when he was flagged for taunting on fourth down, giving the Rams new life... then immediately giving up a touchdown on the very next play. In an instant, Seattle's 31-20 lead evaporated into 31-27.
Fortunately for Woolen, the Seahawks ultimately prevailed and he was spared the fate of being one of the biggest pariahs in the history of Seattle sports. However, redemption was not found in the form of a new contract extension from the team that drafted him. The Seahawks let Woolen walk in free agency, and he landed with the Philadelphia Eagles on a one-year, $15 million dollar deal.
If early reports prove to be a solid indicator of how Woolen will perform in the City of Brotherly Love, could the Seahawks potentially have regrets for allowing him to leave? According to Zach Berman, a reporter who covers the Eagles for The Athletic, Woolen has been a standout at Philly's OTA's.
We at Seahawks Wire wish Woolen the best of luck in Philadelphia (except for when the Eagles play Seattle) and we hope a change in scenery is what he needs to live up to his full potential. But we also think the Seahawks were smart to move on. If nothing else, the money they saved by not re-signing Woolen was immediately reinvested in keeping Rashid Shaheed and giving extensions to Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Derick Hall. Additionally, the Seahawks likely found his immediate replacement with Julian Neal from Arkansas in the third round of the 2026 NFL draft.
This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Philadelphia Eagles CB Riq Woolen receiving praise at OTA practices
Continue reading...
