Because the Minnesota Vikings have arguably needed a cornerback for a year or so, Seattle Seahawks defender Tariq Woolen has frequented the purple trade rumor mill . Now, Woolen may be mere weeks from free agency. No trade needed.
Woolen checks the size-speed boxes and brings real production, making him a plausible target if Minnesota shops the free-agent market for a CB upgrade.
Woolen spoke with reporters last week, and he didn't sound overly committal about returning to Seattle , where he just won a Super Bowl.
You guessed it — the Vikings probably need a cornerback.
Dec 28, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) reacts during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on Dec. 28, 2025. Woolen signaled toward the sideline after a pass breakup, energizing Seattle's defense in a late-season road matchup with postseason implications. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Woolen on His Future
The News Tribune 's Gregg Bell asked Woolen last week if he'd return to Seattle in 2026. He replied , "Honestly, I don't know. Man, you know, I'm still just soaking in this season with my team. Whatever God has for me — he has for me. His plan has never failed me. His plan has kept me here to be in the position that I'm in here now. So I just try to trust His plan."
"And I just do on my end my plan, as well: Which is to be with my teammates and enjoy this Super Bowl win. Honestly, I don't know. Shoot, it's their decision. I've just got to play my part. "If I'm here, I'm here. And that's it. I played well previous years."
Woolen started 7 games for the Seahawks last year and appeared in 16 contests.
Woolen added, "And people don't like to compare years to others, but at the same time, I feel like I've just grown and become a better player throughout each year. I feel like every obstacle that's been thrown my way, I've overcome every single one of them."
"I just feel like I've grown and become a great player. And now I'm a Super Bowl champ."
Those musings sound more like a player on his way out than about to re-sign.
The Production
For starters, Woolen is huge — 6'4″ and 210 pounds. Here's Woolen's Pro Football Focus resume through four games of 2025:
2025: 61.2
2024: 67.9
2023: 67.1
2022: 71.6
And his passer-rating-against:
2025: 75.5
2024: 76.9
2023: 79.8
2022: 48.7
Those numbers obviously aren't elite-elite, but the passer-rating-against is especially noteworthy. Woolen would fit wonderfully in Brian Flores's defense .
Heading into last season, PFF's John Kosko called Woolen one of the NFL's most physical orders and explained , "Woolen ranked 19th in PFF's cornerback rankings ahead of the 2025 season after forcing 10 incompletions and allowing just 0.90 yards per coverage snap when getting physical with opposing receivers."
"His 10 forced incompletions were the second most in the NFL when making contact. He allowed just 0.8% of plays to gain 15 or more yards, the fourth-best mark in the NFL."
The Price
The price is where it could get murky for the Vikings. They don't have much spending money, living in a spot before free agency where $40 million must be cleared via player releases and contractual restructures just to sign any new players at all.
After that, well, Woolen's price tag should check in around three years and $30 million. Minnesota already pays Byron Murphy Jr. a handsome contract, and it's unclear if there's enough money in the budget for Woolen.
At $10 million per season, however, Woolen would be worth it. His size and production provide the value.
Feb 11, 2026; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) stands on the field before the Super Bowl LX trophy presentation at Lumen Field on Feb. 11, 2026. Woolen waited near midfield as festivities unfolded, with Seattle's roster gathered around the stage during the postgame celebration. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
ESPN's Matt Bowen claimed this week that Woolen could land with the New York Jets . He wrote , "Best team fit: Jets. The Jets allowed 57 completions of 20 or more yards in 2025, seventh most in the league."
"Adding Woolen, a 6-foot-5 corner with high-end physical tools and speed, fits under coach Aaron Glenn's defense. This unit wants to play man coverage, and Woolen has 12 interceptions and 36 pass breakups in his four-year career in Seattle. I also like the Commanders as a fit."
Bowen also called Woolen the 14th-best free agent overall from the upcoming 2026 class.
The Would-Be CB Room
If one assumes that the Vikings sign a cornerback like Woolen from free agency and don't draft one early, the 2026 CB room would feature a decent veteran core. The majority of credible mock drafts right now connect Minnesota to a corner in Round 1, usually Mansoor Delane from LSU or Avieon Terrell from Clemson.
Sep 25, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) lines up against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sep. 25, 2025. Woolen tracked receivers across the formation, patrolling the secondary as Seattle's defense handled divisional duties on the road in an NFC West clash. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
With the Woolen route, here's what the 2026 CB room might look like:
Byron Murphy Jr.
Tariq Woolen
Signing a CB4 like Fabian Moreau , who played for the Vikings in 2024 and 2025, would make the room pretty damn trustworthy.
Free agency is less than three weeks away.
