Eagles Sign Woolen

[flv2]

Explain why Mike Mcdonald benched him twice in the last 2 years and why he lost his starting job to Jobe and then after the season they passed on resigning him then. If they thought that REEK was above average they would have kept him. Its not complicated. The total package of Woolen isn't above average.
Giving up long TD's on blown coverages isn't something you want from your CB.

There's no evidence to suggest they passed on re-signing him. Most likely they had a price they were willing to pay. Players who didn't re-sign earlier in year 4 had the opportunity to listen to outside offers, and some have chosen to accept them. I would be disappointed if the Seahawks had offered him $15M+, but the pre-market rumour about him signing with the Rams suggests he wasn't willingly coming back.

 

[LeveeBreak]

What exactly is incorrect? That he got benched? Lost his starting job? That Mike and JS clearly didn't want him back? If he is so darn above average then it must be that they don't like the other things that come along with Woolen. Seems like a logical inference could be made that they must not think he is worth it even with all that above average skill he has.

What is incorrect is you stated that I “agree with your exact point”, I’ve explained clearly where I disagree, but somehow you have an incorrect perception.

However, you did make a cogent argument when you said “ If he is so darn above average then it must be that they don't like the other things that come along with Woolen. Seems like a logical inference could be made that they must not think he is worth it even with all that above average skill he has.” Stop there and refrain from hyperbole and we start to align. Unfortunately, the sarcasm essentially negates the logic, so we’re back to square 1.

Also, MM/JS letting him walk is not an indicator of his skills. Otherwise, your logic would dictate K9 and Kobe aren’t average or above, which is clearly not the case.

PFF isn’t gospel, but still a good reference for discussions like these:

Key 2025 PFF and Performance Details:
Early Season Struggles:

Through the first four weeks, Woolen was ranked 97th out of 100 qualifying cornerbacks.

Mid-Season Turnaround: Since Week 5, Woolen ranked 19th out of 100 cornerbacks in PFF grading.

Season Totals: Finished the 2025 season with a 59.8 overall grade and 12 passes defended.

Coverage Stats: Allowed a 78.5 passer rating in coverage, ranking 25th among CBs with 200+ snaps.

He also just signed 1-yr for $15m. CB’s are higher on the pay-scale, but that’s way too much for a player with less than average skills.

I’d say that makes his skills at least average.

 

[Mike D in 332]

I’ll be interested to see how people on this forum feel about Riq when they see him in another competent defense.
I’m glad we didn’t pay him 15 million but I would have taken him for 10 to 12 with no guarantees beyond year one. I think a lot of you are too focused on the stupid mistakes he made last year. He pissed me off plenty of times but he was also a big part of a Super Bowl championship.
Players can improve over time. Players can learn from mistakes. Players are people. People can make mistakes and overcome them. No one is perfect. I’m willing to acknowledge that I could be dead wrong here. I have been criticized in the past for being supportive of the good things he has done. Despite his issues, he helped us get to and win a Super Bowl!

 

[GemCity]

Without him, we don't make the SB.

But he is gone. It is what it is.
Disappointing. Would rather have Riq than Shaheed but the decision was made and I hope we can trust JS on this.

Really annoyed we probably could have kept him, since he signed for only 1 year.
It looks like the Rams got better and we seem to have gotten worse. Not massively, but we were already separated from each other by the thinnest of margins.

Hoping we found a CB we think we can get in the draft.
Not sold on Jobe AT ALL and frankly, while Spoon is a fantastic tackler/bltizer - his coverage isn't consistently solid.
I don't expect another SB, but I would like to stick it to the Rams at least - looks like that might be tougher now.

Husky….

……u trippin

 

[SoulfishHawk]

What? Without Reek we don't make the SB? Huh? Um..........without SPOON saving his a**, we don't make the SB, because of HIS STUPID SELFISH DECISION to put HIMSELF IN FRONT OF THE TEAM.
And then finish with more Rams worship? Come on Twisted, you're better than that.

 

[JPatera76]

What? Without Reek we don't make the SB? Huh? Um..........without SPOON saving his a**, we don't make the SB, because of HIS STUPID SELFISH DECISION to put HIMSELF IN FRONT OF THE TEAM.
And then finish with more Rams worship? Come on Twisted, you're better than that.

Wrong.. this has been twisted since at least Coach Mike got here. Constantly something to be an Eeyore about

 

[SoulfishHawk]

I'm trying

 

[Natethegreat]

What is incorrect is you stated that I “agree with your exact point”, I’ve explained clearly where I disagree, but somehow you have an incorrect perception.

However, you did make a cogent argument when you said “ If he is so darn above average then it must be that they don't like the other things that come along with Woolen. Seems like a logical inference could be made that they must not think he is worth it even with all that above average skill he has.” Stop there and refrain from hyperbole and we start to align. Unfortunately, the sarcasm essentially negates the logic, so we’re back to square 1.

Also, MM/JS letting him walk is not an indicator of his skills. Otherwise, your logic would dictate K9 and Kobe aren’t average or above, which is clearly not the case.

PFF isn’t gospel, but still a good reference for discussions like these:

Key 2025 PFF and Performance Details:
Early Season Struggles:

Through the first four weeks, Woolen was ranked 97th out of 100 qualifying cornerbacks.

Mid-Season Turnaround: Since Week 5, Woolen ranked 19th out of 100 cornerbacks in PFF grading.

Season Totals: Finished the 2025 season with a 59.8 overall grade and 12 passes defended.

Coverage Stats: Allowed a 78.5 passer rating in coverage, ranking 25th among CBs with 200+ snaps.

He also just signed 1-yr for $15m. CB’s are higher on the pay-scale, but that’s way too much for a player with less than average skills.

I’d say that makes his skills at least average.

I have never contended that Woolen doesn't have what I would term elite skills. He has unique traits athletically.
It's his head that is the problem and it isnt a one year problem either.
The total package of Woolen isnt even good enough to stay on the field. He has been benched multiple times.

 

[pmedic920]

Riq Woolen leaving Seahawks could send him to a nightmare scenario

Free agent cornerback Riq Woolen has unsurprisingly left the Seattle Seahawks. His new spot could be the end of his career.

12thmanrising.com

They nailed it.
Will certainly be interesting to see how it all plays out.

I wish him well, but will be surprised if he’s matured enough to succeed in Philly

 

[Grahamhawker]

Riq Woolen leaving Seahawks could send him to a nightmare scenario

Free agent cornerback Riq Woolen has unsurprisingly left the Seattle Seahawks. His new spot could be the end of his career.

12thmanrising.com

Not wrong about Woolen.

But what is the deal with the lack of editing these days?
"Even in the blowout that was Super Bowl LX, Woolen received a taunting flag on one play, only to give up a touchdown pass on the next."

 

[LeveeBreak]

I have never contended that Woolen doesn't have what I would term elite skills. He has unique traits athletically.
It's his head that is the problem and it isnt a one year problem either.
The total package of Woolen isnt even good enough to stay on the field. He has been benched multiple times.

Ok, last attempt…your direct quote was:

“They let him walk so their evaluation of him is clearly not that he is above average even with his mental lapses and stupid penalties.”

It uses “letting him walk” as the measurement of him being average or better.

My rebuttal has been this take is illogical. Why? Because they have let many above average players depart. DK wasn’t worth what Pitt paid him, but he’s an above avg WR. Not elite, but definitely above avg.

You were critical of specific plays and being benched trying to underscore your reasoning on the skills part of your argument, then state “I would never contend he doesn’t have elite skills”. Well, which is it?

Letting him go isn’t a referendum on his skills, it’s a matter of maturity and cost. He’s been burned, as Em and Spoon have been, once in an embarrassing way that put an exclamation mark on his maturity failure…but CB’s all get torched at some point. The data clearly shows he’s still above average.

So no, I disagree the FO thinks he is below avg. They think he’s immature, costs too much, and likely not a good fit on the team. Those are legit takes. Being a data guy, I can say confidently that MM does not see him as below avg.

Refrain from the defensiveness for a sec and think it through. Your takes are inconsistent and illogical. Rephrase the argument logically and I’ve got nothing to pick at.

Good life skill to learn.

 

[HawkRiderFan]

Thinking about it this is a better situation football wise for Woolen taking less money and being the #2 corner. I was thinking if he got paid like a #1 and was made a #1 by a team, that would go badly. Considering he never got that big offer seems like other teams were thinking that too.

 

[Natethegreat]

Ok, last attempt…your direct quote was:

“They let him walk so their evaluation of him is clearly not that he is above average even with his mental lapses and stupid penalties.”

It uses “letting him walk” as the measurement of him being average or better.

My rebuttal has been this take is illogical. Why? Because they have let many above average players depart. DK wasn’t worth what Pitt paid him, but he’s an above avg WR. Not elite, but definitely above avg.

You were critical of specific plays and being benched trying to underscore your reasoning on the skills part of your argument, then state “I would never contend he doesn’t have elite skills”. Well, which is it?

Letting him go isn’t a referendum on his skills, it’s a matter of maturity and cost. He’s been burned, as Em and Spoon have been, once in an embarrassing way that put an exclamation mark on his maturity failure…but CB’s all get torched at some point. The data clearly shows he’s still above average.

So no, I disagree the FO thinks he is below avg. They think he’s immature, costs too much, and likely not a good fit on the team. Those are legit takes. Being a data guy, I can say confidently that MM does not see him as below avg.

Refrain from the defensiveness for a sec and think it through. Your takes are inconsistent and illogical. Rephrase the argument logically and I’ve got nothing to pick at.

Good life skill to learn.

A one year contract for 15 mill is a below average contract for a CB especially in terms of years.
They showed what they think of him by their actions. You also never once heard them say they wanted him back.
Woolen also clearly knew he was gone by his Twitter posts after the season.

Ken Walker and D.K. wanted and got top tier contracts. They also talked up those players and said they would like them back(in the case of D.K. they signed him for top dollar).
They aren't an apple to apple comparison at all.

 

[Tusc2000]

Woolen had a great rookie year and initially looked like a steal for a 5th round pick. Then came 3 years of inconsistent play, sometimes very good and at times, horrifically bad. The numbers don't add up to $15M, heck, they don't add up to very much, so adios. In the end, it looks like there was a good reason he ended up still available in the 5ht round, and maybe even why he ended up playing college ball at UTSA, and not at a Power 5 school...

 

[Natethegreat]

Woolen had a great rookie year and initially looked like a steal for a 5th round pick. Then came 3 years of inconsistent play, sometimes very good and at times, horrifically bad. The numbers don't add up to $15M, heck, they don't add up to very much, so adios. In the end, it looks like there was a good reason he ended up still available in the 5ht round, and maybe even why he ended up playing college ball at UTSA, and not at a Power 5 school...

Yes, I had these exact same thoughts. Those kind of athletic traits and he plays at UTSA and then gets drafted in the 5th?
There is a reason why.

 

[rjas77]

Rams were probably forced to punt back to us (I can't see McVey going for it on 4th and 12) with the Hawks having a 2 score lead and just drove the length of the field on the last drive. Hard to say how things work out but without that penalty there's a positively Hawks win that game without a dramatic end

I was there..McVey sent the punting team out prior to the penalty. He would have punted

 

[LeveeBreak]

A one year contract for 15 mill is a below average contract for a CB especially in terms of years.

Again, you make incorrect statements because you don't frame the argument correctly. This is not a below avg contract which is easily proven with available data.

As of the 2025-2026 NFL season, the average annual salary for a cornerback is approximately $2.6m, with the market for top-tier cornerbacks exceeding $30 million per season. While the top 20+ corners earn over $10 million to $15+ million annually, the median is significantly lower due to the inclusion of rookie contracts and depth players.

He was paid top-20 annual because of his skills.
His contract is a shorter (1-year) deal because of his maturity.

They showed what they think of him by their actions. You also never once heard them say they wanted him back.
Woolen also clearly knew he was gone by his Twitter posts after the season.

This is correct, even though it's surrounded by conjecture and speculation. They did not re-sign him and likely did not pursue this because of his maturity and cost. Stop beating the dead horse.

Ken Walker and D.K. wanted and got top tier contracts. They also talked up those players and said they would like them back(in the case of D.K. they signed him for top dollar).
They aren't an apple to apple comparison at all.

You didn't qualify the original argument this way. All you said was (paraphrased) "because they didn't sign him, they don't agree that he's average or better". This provoked my questioning and counter-point.

You wanna say "I'm glad he's gone" or "dude wasn't worth the $$ we'd have to pay" or "his errors outweighed his abilities", I can get behind.

Saying "The FO must think he's not average or above" is speculative, irrational, and just isn't supported by any reasonable facts. If they thought he was below avg, he would not have played as much as he did.

• Super Bowl LX vs. New England Patriots: Woolen played at least 30 defensive snaps. He was reported as playing the fourth-most snaps on Seattle's defense during the 29–13 victory.
• Postseason Average: Across the entire 2025 playoffs (Divisional Round, NFC Championship, and Super Bowl), Woolen cleared the 70% defensive snap barrier, averaging over 30 defensive snaps per game throughout the run.

If you're not gonna base your takes on facts or reasonable/supportable assertions, then they're lame.
Lame definition: uninspiring and dull.

 

[sutz]

Lot of TL/DR posts here. Basically Woolen got a "prove it" deal.

 

[Blazenhawks]

 

[HawkinNY]

I can’t believe he could only get that contract. I wish he would have stayed Tariq cause he was much better before he became Riq.