Seattle Seahawks fans all got used to the post-rookie season Riq Woolen experience. The cornerback was mercurial, lacked physicality, capable of brilliance, and often committed needless penalities. Yet, in his first game with his new team, the Philadelphia Eagles, Woolen was only the third part of that foursome.
Eventually, Seattle might find that they wish they had Woolen back. In Week 1, the Seahawks were just fine with Nehemiah Pritchett geting a bunch of reps, but then their opponent, the New England Patriots, isn't very good offensively currently. By midway through the year. Woolen could still be playing well while Pritchett is back to being mediocre.
In Philly's Week 1 victory against the Washington Commanders, 24-22, Woolen had just one tackle, but he gets paid to cover receivers, and he did extremely well. He was targeted four times and allowed no completions. One could argue he was targeted once more on a 1-yard touchdown pass for the Commanders, but that would be picky.
Former Seattle Seahawks' Riq Woolen was a star for the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1
Woolen was on that side of the field, but the pass was thrown in the flat, and Woolen was picked by another player. He couldn't have done anything to stop the completion.
Will Woolen find some personal revenge on the rest of the league for not signing him in free agency, and that he only got a one-year deal with the Eagles? Maybe. An entire season still has to play out for that to happen, but if the corner continues to play as he did against Washington, Woolen will have his revenge.
He was terrific, even in the bigger moments. The Eagles might still find that Riq Woolen doesn't stay focused for 100 percent of every game, or maybe Woolen has learned his harsh lesson in free agency that he needs to be better to sign a longer-term deal somewhere in 2027 free agency.
General manager John Schneider knew what he was doing in letting Woolen walk this past offseason. The team learned that it couldn't trust Woolen to make a great play and then not follow that with an over-the-top expression that resulted in an unsportsmanlike penalty. Maybe he will change with Philadelphia.
To give credit where it's due, Woolen was great to begin his Eagles career, and that might continue. He is unlikely to ever return to the Pacific Northwest to play home games, though.
Maybe in his place, Nehemiah Pritchett will continue his own stellar play from Week 1. With a chance to finally play, perhaps he is better than sitting on the bench. Ultimately, Woolen can be great for Philly, and let's just hope Prtichett is the same for the Seahawks.
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