Riq Woolen's 2025 season began with a resounding thud. The Seattle Seahawks cornerback is now in the final year of his rookie contract, and the fifth-round 2022 draft pick started his career with a league-leading six interceptions. Since then, he has failed.
The issue hasn't been that he is terrible in coverage, but he has been terrible against the run. He also seems to miscommunicate with teammates on the field at times. In Week 15 of last season, he was forced to sit in the first series of the game due to an unknown disciplinary situation.
But 12s have seen Woolen be good, and with a great season this year, he could potentially see a huge increase in his pay in free agency next offseason. That possibility might be gone now.
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald non-committal on starting Riq Woolen in Week 2
On Wednesday, head coach Mike Macdonald wasn't even ready to commit to starting Riq Woolen in Week 2. When asked if Woolen would start against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Macdonald simply said, "We'll see."
That could, of course, just be coach-speak, but Macdonald also could have said, "Why wouldn't he?" and left it at that. Why potentially build more drama around the situation, which is what Macdonald did, even if that was not his intention? But many Seahawks fans would be happy to see Woolen be benched.
In Week 1, Woolen allowed three catches on four targets for 73 yards and a touchdown. He was also penalized twice. The last 49ers drive of the game was an example to all young cornerbacks on how not to play the position. He was duped on a simple post pattern and then allowed the third-string 49ers tight end to catch a pass that Woolen could have easily knocked down.
Meanwhile, Josh Jobe, Seattle's third cornerback after Woolen and Devon Witherspoon, was fantastic against San Francisco. He allowed just one reception on five targets, and for only one yard. It would make sense in two cornerback sets for the Seattle Seahawks to go with Witherspoon and Jobe.
One thing is certain: Riq Woolen needs to have a great week of practice and approach the practices as if he is on the verge of losing his job. He very well might be.
Does Woolen have the attitude to do that? That is something Seattle Seahawks fans truly don't know. What 12s do know is Woolen almost single-handedly gave Week 1 to the San Francisco 49ers. That alone should get him benched.