Forget the rumors for now. Cornerback Riq Woolen is still a valuable member of the Seattle Seahawks, and he very well could stay that way. Always forget the narrative that Woolen isn't playing as much for Seattle. That's false.
The cornerback did miss Week 6 and the second half of Week 5 because he suffered a concussion. Prior to that, he was playing more than 90 percent of defensive snaps. That is unlikely to change, even when fellow cornerback Devon Witherspoon and safety Julian Love return from injury. That could happen as soon as Week 7.
When he is playing well, Woolen is capable of being a shutdown corner. He might not be great in run defense and setting a hard edge, but before this season, his quarterback rating allowed was never worse than a good 83.7 in any season. He might just have played poorly in spots this year.
Week 7 could be the game Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen changes the narrative
He can turn the narrative around that he isn't a good fit in head coach Mike Macdonald's system in one game. If he has a couple of interceptions against the Houston Texans in Week 7 on Monday Night Football, the talk of a potential trade involving Woolen will quiet down.
Macdonald believes the cornerback is physically and mentally ready to return from last week's absence in a big way. The Seahawks need this to happen, but also for Woolen to continue to play at a high level.
Speaking to the media, Macdonald said, "Riq's had a great week of practice. I told him yesterday I am really excited to seeing him play. I can't wait to see him go out there and do his thing."
The head coach also dismissed quickly him discussing the possibility of Woolen being traded, as he said, "There's no speculation with me. The guy's kicking butt for us."
The NFL traded deadline is on Tuesday, November 4. That date might not come soon enough for Riq Woolen and many in the Seahawks organization. If the team doesn't want to move him then once that date passes, any speculation will end. The cornerback can focus on football only.
Through his first four and a half games of this season, Woolen has allowed 13 completions when targeted 18 times for 183 yards and a touchdown. Potentially even worse, he has been called for six penalties. That might suggest he wasn't suffering physically before getting a concussion, but his mental approach and technique were off.
He is the same player who had six interceptions as a rookie, though. The rest of the season remains for him to be great. If he does, the cornerback could find that the Seattle Seahawks want to sign him to a long-term extension next offseason.