The Philadelphia Eagles have been relatively quiet during the NFL’s legal tampering period, but they made a noteworthy move on, agreeing to a one-year deal worth $15 million with cornerback Riq Woolen.
The veteran corner was a Pro Bowler in 2022, and he just helped the Seattle Seahawks win the Super Bowl with their dominant defense. Woolen is clearly an addition worth getting excited about, but he comes with some concerns.
Seahawks writer Lee Vowell recently spoke with Inside the Iggles and detailed Woolen’s duality. Vowell explained that Philadelphia’s new corner “is capable of greatness, but he is also capable of singularly losing games for his team.” In the writer’s full statement, he explained a player who will make Eagles fans scream in excitement and frustration, calling Woolen “an enigma,” with the ability to “give fans happiness one moment, while stealing their souls the next.”
"Riq Woolen is capable of greatness, but he is also capable of singularly losing games for his team. He proved as much in Week 1 of the 2026 season when he allowed the San Francisco 49ers to complete a deep pass and then score a touchdown on an easy knockdown for Woolen. This is the Woolen Experience. He will perform at an elite level for three-quarters of a game, and then be brutal for a quarter. He can't control his emotions, but at the same time, he is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. He is an enigma wrapped in a riddle, and will give fans happiness one moment, while stealing their souls the next."Lee Vowell
Eagles fans should expect a talented but chaotic corner in Riq Woolen
That pretty much sums up how Woolen’s four seasons in Seattle unfolded. Selected by the Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the corner quickly emerged as a star, leading the league with six interceptions as a rookie. He only picked up six more interceptions over his next three seasons, but he remained a key contributor with his up-and-down play.
The Woolen Experience, as Vowell called it, was on full display in the NFC Championship game this past postseason. With Seattle facing off against the Los Angeles Rams, Woolen made multiple big plays in one drive, helping the Seahawks force the Rams to a fourth down. However, a taunting penalty from the corner gave L.A. a new set of downs, and instead of punting, the Rams threw a long touchdown to Woolen the very next play.
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That sequence was a microcosm of the highs and lows the corner can bring to a fan base. However, the Eagles have consistently proven that they aren’t scared of polarizing players, so they will try to consistently get the best out of their new cornerback.