The Seattle Seahawks are becoming healthier in their secondary. As a result, former Pro Bowl cornerback Riq Woolen could be the odd-man out.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday other NFL teams at least consider that a possibility. Rapoport posted on social media teams are “monitoring” Woolen’s situation with the Seahawks because of potential interest in acquiring him.
“Woolen’s playing time has diminished, and in a contract year, teams believe he could be available,” posted Rapoport on X.
The Seahawks played Thursday in Week 4, which gives them extra rest ahead of their next matchup. Second-round rookie defensive back Nick Emmanwori could return from an ankle injury in Week 5.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon was back on the field for Seattle on Thursday after missing two games. The Seahawks also have other options in the secondary they like that could make Woolen expendable.
The emergence of Josh Jobe and Derion Kendrick, a late waiver claim, makes trading Riq Woolen something to consider,” wrote Rapoport.
Woolen made the Pro Bowl as a rookie for the Seahawks in 2025. This season, he has posted 14 combined tackles with one pass defense in four games.
Seahawks Riq Woolen a CB Trade Candidate?
The wording in Rapoport’s report — that teams are “monitoring” Woolen as a possible trade candidate — was noteworthy. The Tacoma News Tribune’s Gregg Bell posted about that and wondered the source of the report on social media.
“The source of this is as much or more interesting than the news of ‘monitoring,'” Bell wrote. “Where this comes from, and why.”
To a post from another social media user that stated Rapoport’s source was inside the Seahawks organization, Bell answered with two bell emojis.
Bell was strongly indicating the Seahawks are trying to generate interest in Woolen. That makes sense and ties into Rapoport’s argument that the Seahawks could find Woolen expendable because of the secondary depth the team might have beginning in Week 5.
Woolen was tied for the NFL lead with six interceptions as a rookie in 2022. He also had 63 combined tackles, including one for loss and 16 pass defenses in 17 games that season.
Since then, though, Woolen hasn’t been as dominating a defender. He had 53 combined tackles, including 11 pass defenses in 16 games during 2023.
Last season, he registered 46 combined tackles with 14 pass defenses. Woolen has five interceptions in the past 33 games after he had six in his first 17 NFL contests.
Woolen played less in 2023 and 2024. But because of injuries, he has lined up for 97% of Seattle’s defensive snaps through the first four games in 2025.
Seahawks Getting Healthier in Secondary
Based on the amount he’s playing, having Woolen still on the roster has clearly been helpful for Seattle. But it might not be long before the Seahawks have too many defensive backs.
In addition to Witherspoon, safety Julian Love returned healthy during Week 4. Cornerback Josh Jobe didn’t have an injury designation for Thursday’s matchup either.
As previously mentioned, Emmanwori could be ready for Week 5 too.
If all of those defenders are available next Sunday, then Woolen could see his playing time diminish. As long as the Seahawks feel confident that they have enough secondary depth for the remainder of the year, Woolen could become more useful to the team on the trade block.
Due to his experience and expiring contract, another NFL team could view Woolen as a strong rental player for the second half of 2025.
At least at this point, that’s what the Seahawks appear to be hoping.
Seahawks Ex-Pro Bowl CB Becoming Target on NFL Trade Market: Report