The Seattle Seahawks have already reminded the NFL what their defense can do when everything clicks. Now, they should consider bringing back a familiar face who helped them reach the top of the league. Riq Woolen is currently with the Philadelphia Eagles. However, he could be the missing piece in Seattle's secondary. A reunion would give head coach Mike Macdonald another imposing outside cornerback. If general manager John Schneider can negotiate a reasonable price, this could be one of the smartest deadline moves Seattle makes.
Defensive resurgence
Seattle's 2026 campaign has tested its resolve. The Seahawks opened with victories over New England and Arizona before suffering a narrow loss to Washington. They bounced back against the Los Angeles Chargers. They then endured consecutive heartbreakers against San Francisco and Denver that dropped them to 3-3. Their response was emphatic: Seattle dismantled Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, winning 20-3 while holding the visitors to just 213 total yards. Sam Darnold managed the offense effectively. Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught a touchdown pass. The defense kept Kansas City out of the end zone. At 4-3, Seattle is back in the NFC West race. However, the 49ers remain a formidable obstacle. Macdonald's defense has shown it can suffocate elite offenses. Adding another quality cornerback could make that unit even more versatile. With the Chicago Bears visiting on November 2, Seattle has little time to waste.
Riq Woolen reunion
Woolen knows Seattle's environment. He spent his first four NFL seasons with the Seahawks before signing with Philadelphia in March 2026. At 6-foot-4, he has elite straight-line speed and the length to contest passes at the catch point. He also offers a physical profile that few cornerbacks can match. During Seattle's Super Bowl-winning 2025 campaign, Woolen recorded 12 pass breakups and an interception across 16 games.
His return would give Macdonald another outside coverage option alongside Devon Witherspoon. That should allow the Seahawks to deploy Witherspoon in the slot. Woolen's ability to challenge receivers downfield could also give Seattle more freedom to disguise coverages. They could bring pressure without leaving the perimeter vulnerable.
The timing is intriguing because Philadelphia is struggling. The Eagles are 2-5. Their season has deteriorated amid offensive inconsistency and defensive concerns Woolen has started all seven games. He has recorded 27 tackles and six pass breakups. However, he has not intercepted a single pass. His athletic tools remain valuable, yet Philadelphia may have to decide whether keeping a veteran on a one-year contract makes sense.
Ideal package
Seattle should open negotiations with a conditional 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round selection for Woolen. The fourth-rounder would give Philadelphia a meaningful asset. The sixth-round pick would provide additional compensation.
For Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, the proposal would turn a short-term roster investment into future draft flexibility. Philadelphia signed Woolen to a one-year deal worth a reported $12 million fully guaranteed. He carries a cap hit of approximately $3.4 million in 2026. That contract structure complicates the financial picture. Trading Woolen would not erase the signing bonus already paid. However, Philadelphia would need to account for the resulting dead-cap implications.
The conditional fourth-rounder could be tied to playing time or postseason milestones. That would protect Seattle if Woolen struggles to settle back into the system. If Philadelphia demands a higher pick, Schneider should resist, though.
Article Continues BelowCompleting the secondary puzzle
The football case is straightforward. Seattle already has the personnel to pressure quarterbacks. The Chiefs game demonstrated that. Adding Woolen would strengthen the outside coverage. It would give Macdonald more options to mix man coverage, zone rotations, and pressure packages.
His familiarity with Seattle's coaches and defensive environment should ease the transition. Of course, a return would still require him to earn his role. Woolen is not a guaranteed cure for every secondary issue. This is the type of targeted move a contender should consider. The Seahawks need to reinforce what already works and ensure their secondary can hold up.
A fourth-rounder and a sixth-rounder would be a reasonable starting offer. If Philadelphia is ready to turn the page, Seattle should make the call. Bringing Woolen back could really help the Seahawks turn their latest defensive statement into a sustained playoff push.