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Former Seahawks CB Riq Woolen agrees to terms with Philadelphia Eagles
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- Former Seahawks CB Riq Woolen agrees to terms with Philadelphia Eagles
The Seattle Seahawks have lost another key starter from their Super Bowl LX championship roster. On Tuesday afternoon, news broke regarding one of Seattle's top in-house free agents: cornerback Riq Woolen . ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Woolen had reached an agreement to join the Philadelphia Eagles on a one-year contract. Woolen's new deal with Philadelphia will pay him up to $15 million dollars in 2026. This is the Eagles' first move in free agency to bring another player to the City of Brotherly Love.
A departure from Seattle was widely expected for Woolen. The talented young corner had posted a cryptic message on his social media shortly back in February seemingly alluding to his time in the Pacific Northwest coming to an end. Now it is official.
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Woolen's tenure with the Seahawks was a rather controversial one, based exclusively on his play. When he was "on" he was a true shut-down corner. Woolen has all the physical traits and athletic ability one would ever want in a defensive back. Unfortunately, he had far too many critical lapses in judgement on the field. Key games against the Rams and 49ers featured him surrendering game-losing touchdown passes in years past.
But his ultimate sin that was likely the death knell for any chance at him returning to the Seahawks came in the NFC Championship game. Seattle's defense had finally stopped the Rams on 3rd down, and LA was ready to punt it away on fourth-and-12 with the Seahawks leading 31-20 in the fourth quarter. Instead, the Rams were given new life as Woolen was flagged for taunting their bench. On LA's first play after the unsportsmanlike penalty, league MVP Matthew Stafford targeted Woolen directly, who gave up the touchdown to make it a one-score game.
Fortunately for Woolen, the Seahawks did ultimately win the game 31-27 to spare him becoming one of the biggest pariahs in Seattle sports history. But his boneheaded play was not easily forgotten, by the Seahawks.... or perhaps the rest of the NFL. Woolen only receiving a one-year deal is likely evident of that. Yes, $15 million dollars is quite a significant pay raise for a former fifth round pick, but doubts about his play in key moments likely cost him a few years and several more million dollars overall.
The good news for Woolen is he gets a fresh start and a chance to redeem himself in Philadelphia, as well as get back on the open market this time next year with the hopes of an even bigger pay day.
This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Seahawks Free Agency: Riq Woolen agrees to one-year deal with Eagles
