Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen has struggled recently. In fact, his play, with silly and wretched mistakes and poor technique in coverage, likely reminds 12s of his 2023 season. That would have been one year after he made the Pro Bowl and tied for the league lead in interceptions with six.
But did anyone expect Woolen to be benched? That is exactly what he was at the beginning of Week 16 versus the Minnesota Vikings when head coach Mike Macdonald chose to go with Tre Brown and Josh Jobe to begin the game while Woolen was left on the sidelines wearing a hoody. Some might take this as a sign that not only has Woolen recently failed on the field, but also that the coaching staff is not happy with how he has handled himself outside of games.
Not that Woolen might have helped Seattle all that much on the Vikings' first drive. Just like in Week 15 against the Green Bay Packers, Seattle allowed the Vikings to drive straight down the field (assisted by a fourth down conversion) for a touchdown. Jobe and Brown were not picked on, so the void of Woolen was not felt. Instead, Devon Witherspoon gave up several completions.
Seahawks bench cornerback Riq Woolen to start Week 16 versus the Vikings
The Seahawks appeared to be out-schemed and out-executed by Minnesota, just as they have been against every other team they have faced that currently has a winning record. Woolen has the ability to help against the run with his size and speed, but the Vikings did nothing overly special that would have required Woolen to be on the field.
At the beginning of Minnesota's second drive, Woolen came onto the field. That only further indicates that the cornerback was facing some kind of discipline by watching on the first drive. His presence on the field actually helped force Minnesota off the field because, on a second down, he had fantastic coverage on wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
To be sure, the Seahawks defense is simply struggling against good teams, though, and this season will likely see Seattle not making the playoffs. Maybe Macdonald just needs another year to get his team and his defense where he wants them to be.