In a move that was expected, the Seattle Seahawks and Riq Woolen are parting ways. The controversial cornerback is headed to Philadelphia.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Super Bowl champion cornerback will join the Philadelphia Eagles and their All-Pro defensive back unit of Cooper Dejean and Quinyon Mitchell, led by legendary defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
“Former Seahawks Pro-Bowl CB Riq Woolen reached agreement today on a one-year deal worth up to $15 million with the Philadelphia Eagles, per me and Jeremy Fowler,” Schefter wrote. “Agent Jason Chayut confirmed the deal.”
Controversial Tenure
Riq Woolen’s time in Seattle was a rollercoaster ride. After an electric rookie season in 2022 where he was tied for the NFL lead in interceptions with six, defended 16 passes, and was named to both the Pro Bowl and the PFWA All Rookie Team, Woolen appeared destined to be an elite cornerback.
However, the consistency of his rookie season has eluded him since, with flashes of excellent play mixed with mystifying mistakes for the 6-foot-4 defensive back out of Texas-San Antonio.
Seattle Sports’ Cameron Van Til summed up the “Riq Woolen Experience” in his March 10 article on his Eagles signing.
“Woolen’s stats illustrate that juxtaposition. He totaled 12 interceptions and 53 pass breakups over the past four seasons, making him one of just two NFL players with at least 10 interceptions and 50 pass breakups over that span,” Van Til wrote. “But he’s also surrendered 15 touchdown passes since entering the league, which is tied for the 15th-most of any player, according to Stathead.”
There was no better example of the Jekyll and Hyde nature of Woolen than in the NFC championship game.
NFC Championship Blunder
Riq Woolen also had a controversial play in the NFC Championship game against the Rams, where, after making a key third-down pass breakup, a taunting call extended the drive, and Matthew Stafford hit Puka Nacua for a 34-yard touchdown over Woolen. After the game, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald commented on Woolen’s costly penalty. Sports Illustrated’s Michael Hanich wrote about Macdonald’s comments post-game.
“Look, Riq has done a tremendous job for us, and you’re frustrated in the moment, and all that’s happening, but he just made an emotional decision,” Macdonald said. “But we got to pick him up. That’s not the time to get all upset, you got to play the next play and not let them score in the next play, and you’ve got to rebound and go back. And Riq came back and played well in the rest of the game.”
With the emergence of Josh Jobe this season, Woolen became more expendable for the Seahawks, and after Jobe was given a three-year $24 million deal, his departure was no surprise.
Prove It Deal
By signing a one-year deal, Riq Woolen is betting on himself this upcoming season. Woolen is joining a defensive unit with two of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper Dejean, and Vic Fangio is attempting to use his decades of coaching experience to get the most consistent version of Woolen there can be.
The Eagles with Woolen are upgrading their CB2 position from Adoree’ Jackson last season. ESPN NFL analyst Ben Solak wrote on Twitter that he loves the deal for both Woolen and the Eagles.
“Wow! Eagles have checked on Woolen via trade before,” Solak wrote. Love the one year prove it deal playing in this loaded of a secondary for Woolen.”
While Woolen had an up-and-down career in Seattle, he ended on an ultimate high note, playing a crucial role in helping the Seahawks win their second Lombardi Trophy in franchise history.
Seahawks Controversial CB Signs With Eagles on 1-Year Deal