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Seahawks' big Josh Jobe move all but seals Riq Woolen's fate

They made their choice.
Ernesto Cova
Ernesto Cova

12th Man Rising

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Seattle Seahawks have made their first big move of free agency. According to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, they've agreed to terms with CB Josh Jobe to keep the Super Bowl champion in town for the long run.

That was a no-brainer move. Jobe went from being an afterthought and a practice squad player to becoming a key contributor to the secondary. The terms of the deal have yet to be disclosed, but he definitely earned a raise after making just $1.2 million in 2025.

However, that may have also signaled the beginning of the end for Riq Woolen in Seattle. The former fifth-round pick is also slated for free agency, and GM John Schneider clearly prioritized re-signing Jobe.

Seattle Seahawks' Josh Jobe's free-agency return opens the door for Riq Woolen's departure

Truth be told, this decision may have been pretty simple for the Seahawks. Losing safety Coby Bryant was a huge blow to the secondary, and they couldn't afford to let another one of their starting defensive backs leave.

Jobe is just 27 years old, and he's coming off posting the best numbers of his career. He allowed a 49.5 percent completion percentage for 517 yards, holding opposing signal-callers to a 77.0 passer rating. He did give up four receiving touchdowns, but the 11.5 yards per reception were a career best for him.

Woolen, on the other hand, continued his regression after an impressive rookie campaign. Despite riding the bench for most of the season, he gave up 39 receptions for three touchdowns and missed eleven tackles for a tackle grade of 36.7, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

On the downside, the Seahawks might be a little thin at cornerback if (when) Woolen ultimately joins another team. They have Devon Witherspoon and Nehemiah Pritchett on the left side, but they will need someone else to rotate and be Jobe's backup on the other side of the backfield.

According to Over The Cap, the Seahawks have $55.4 million in available cap space (pending Jobe's contract). The Seahawks should still have more than enough cash to spare to find a suitable replacement. However, with Jobe staying, they're unlikely to go big-name hunting and will probably pass on guys like Greg Newsome II, Nahshon Wright, or veterans like Marshon Lattimore.

Instead, they might be wise to go after someone like CJ Gardner-Johnson, who has extensive experience at both safety and cornerback. As for Woolen, Spotrac projects his new deal at $8.1 million a year, and even with all that available cap salary, the Seahawks might not want him at that price tag.

Ernesto Cova

Ernesto Cova

Ernesto Cova is a bilingual contributor (English-Spanish) with 10 years of experience covering major leagues, including the NBA, NFL, and MLB. He's a site contributor at Dawg Pound Daily (Cleveland Browns), 12th Man Rising (Seattle Seahawks), Musket Fire (New England Patriots), Horseshoe Heroes (Indianapolis Colts), and King James Gospel (Cleveland Cavaliers). Ernesto has a PhD in sports psychology and has been featured on Fadeaway World, Newsweek, The Sporting News, Athlon Sports, Yardbarker, PFSN, and more. Ernesto’s work focuses on providing insightful, up-to-date coverage of sports, blending his expertise in sports psychology with a passion for analyzing player performance, team dynamics, and trade developments across various sports leagues. He's also an amateur film photographer.