Tariq Woolen cornerback Seattle Seahawks
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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 28: Nick Emmanwori #3 and Riq Woolen #27 react after Julian Love #20 of the Seattle Seahawks intercepted a pass during the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
The Seattle Seahawks are the new Super Bowl champions. And on the face of it, things could not be much better.
The Seahawks have the sixth most cap space in the NFL heading into March’s free agency, at over $63 million, and all of the team’s key players have been re-signed as they look to mount a serious title defense in 2026.
However, despite the staggering amount of available cap space for a Super Bowl-winning roster, the Seahawks have seemingly deliberately chosen to let some certain players see the open market.
Kenneth Walker, who will reportedly not be franchise tagged, has yet to receive a new deal despite coming off his best statistical season since his rookie year. And Pro Bowler, Riq Woolen, who was once looked at as a cornerstone of the secondary, is also yet to sign a new contract.
Riq Woolen Shares Telling Message on Social Media
Whilst many are speculating about whether he or fellow outside cornerback Josh Jobe will be handed an extension, Woolen took to social media to deliver a semi-cryptic but seemingly pointed message at his future.
Tariq Woolen
Woolen shared a popular gif on X from the final ever scene of the renowned 1990s sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, when Will Smith leaves the house he’s lived for the final time.
The gif – especially in the context of Woolen’s expiring contract – implies that the former Pro Bowler believes that his time in the Pacific North West has come to an end, and that he is at his proverbial “final scene” with the organization.
Now, this does not definitively mean that Woolen will not re-sign with the franchise with whom he has spent the past four years and been a definitive success, especially for a player originally bought in as a fifth round draft pick back in 2022.
But it probably doesn’t bode well for those hoping or expecting the UTSA alum to return to Seattle for next season.
Why Have The Seahawks Not Re-Signed Woolen?
After a blistering start to his pro career, Woolen’s performances started to decline in the ensuing years and reached an almost untenable level in the early portion of the 2025 season, where inconsistency and penalty concession lead to the former All-Rookie getting benched for former undrafted free agent Josh Jobe.
In the second half of the season, Woolen’s performance improved drastically – drawing praise from head coach Mike McDonald ahead of the playoffs – and lead to him playing large parts of each postseason victory en route to Super Bowl LX success, splitting snaps with Jobe.
And with Jobe also set to hit the open market, some question whether the team will look to use their many bountiful dollars in cap space on new contracts for one or both players.
Yet, Seattle may be holding out to sign a different cornerback in free agency, or they may be looking at this year’s corner-heavy draft class with the belief that they can find their future CB2 opposite Devon Witherspoon with one of their first two selections this coming April.
Or they may simply not have full faith that Woolen has earned and will continue to play up to an expensive long-term deal that many expect him to receive next month.
Whatever the reason is, at the present moment it appears that his final game for Seattle has been played.