Tariq Woolen
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Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen at Lumen Field on January 01, 2023.
If we’re keeping it real, the path to the Philadelphia Eagles landing 1 of the best available free agents this offseason in former Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen began with the most embarrassing moment of his career.
It’s also led ESPN’s Seth Walder to give the Eagles an “A” grade for signing Woolen to a 1-year, $15 million contract.
“This deal is great for the Eagles because it fills a key need, but also because of the price,” Walder wrote. “Woolen was widely viewed as being among the best outside corners in the class alongside players such as Jaylen Watson (who is getting a three-year deal at $17 million per year) and Alontae Taylor (three years at $60 million).”
So, what did Woolen do to cost himself tens of millions in free agency?
One of the Dumbest Penalties You’ll Ever See
While it’s hard to point to any 1 on-field incident as the reason any player might not get the payday they expected, it happens. With Woolen, we can point to 1 of the dumbest penalties in recent memory and the fact it happened in 1 of the most critical moments of the season.
Leading the Los Angeles Rams 31-20 with 2:31 left in the 3rd quarter of the NFC Championship Game, the Seahawks got a stop on 3rd & 2 and were ready to get the ball back … until Woolen got called for taunting the Rams sideline after the play.
A few plays later, Woolen gave up a touchdown pass to NFL All-Pro wide receiver Puka Nacua and, boom, it’s a game again.
While the Seahawks won the game and eventually won the Super Bowl, Woolen has found the moment hard to shake off. His less-than-thoughtful apology didn’t help.
“No cap high intense game and when you in the zone and ballin with your bros sometimes you black out,” Woolen wrote on X following the game.
Did Eagles Create 3-Headed Monster at Cornerback?
We may not fully understand how incredible it’s going to be to watch the Eagles play defense this season. It’s a year that could end up being defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s next — and maybe final — masterpiece.
Nowhere will that be more pronounced than at cornerback. The Eagles already return 2 NFL All-Pros in outside cornerback Quinyon Mitchell and slot cornerback Cooper DeJean — both of whom will be eligible for massive contract extensions following the 2026 season.
“Over the past four seasons, among outside corners with at least 500 coverage snaps, do you know who allowed the fewest yards per coverage snap?” Walder wrote. “Woolen, at 0.7, was one spot ahead of new teammate Quinyon Mitchell and two spots ahead of 2024 Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II … Good luck, opposing receivers.”
While Mitchell and DeJean are both playing for big money, so is Woolen.
If Woolen shows he’s not the idiot everyone thinks he is after last year and plays up to his capabilities, he could very well land a deal that’s in line with the 3-year, $60 million contract he originally thought he was going to get after winning a Super Bowl with the Seahawks in February.