Riq Woolen was an enigma with the Seattle Seahawks during his four seasons with the team. He began his career by leading the NFL in interceptions with six. In the three seasons that followed, he had a total of six interceptions. His excellence was never quite achieved despite fleeting periods of greatness.
12s watched as Woolen would be flagged for a silly penalty, and then cough up a long touchdown pass, all the while being good for most of the rest of the game. Philadelphia Eagles fans are likely going to watch the Woolen experience unfold in 2026, but are beginning to have high hopes for his potential brilliance.
In organized team activities and minicamp, Woolen was a standout performer for Philly, according to ESPN Eagles beat writer Tim McManus. As McManus notes, Eagles coaches and reporters watching are impressed by Woolen's blend of size (he's 6'4") and speed. But Seahawks fans can likely warn Philadelphia about what's to come.
Seattle Seahawks fans know well what the Philadelphia Eagles are about to experience with Riq Woolen
The cornerback does offer a unique skill set. Raw ability has never been his problem. He has that in spades. What he has lacked, and what won't become evident until the stress of real games begins, is the ability to keep full control of his emotions in high-stress moments of important games.
Against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1 last season, for instance, Seattle was trying to hold on to a lead late, but Woolen drew an unneeded pass interference call, and then followed that with a mental error. As the 49ers completed a touchdown pass, Woolen tried to intercept the ball, but not aggressively, instead of knocking the pass down. The Seahawks lost the game soon thereafter.
Later in the season, in the NFC Championship game against the Los Angeles Rams, Woolen was called for taunting when he jawed at the Rams sideline after a play that would have resulted in a likely punting situation for LA. Instead, the Rams picked up a first down because of the penalty, and on the very next play, Woolen was beaten deep for a touchdown.
Such is the way of Woolen. He will be elite for quite a lot of the season, and he will potentially cost the Philadelphia Eagles with an unnecessarily poor decision in key games, and follow that by giving up a big play. What is certain is that Eagles fans will not be so kind in response to Riq Woolen doing such things as most Seattle Seahawks fans were.
Philly fans just don't yet know how Woolen will go about his business. He's been the same way for the last three seasons. His mercurial attitude didn't fit in head coach Mike Macdonald's culture, and it might not fit in Philadelphia for long either.
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