Riq Woolen, a Super Bowl champion with the Seattle Seahawks last season, is drawing major trade interest from the Carolina Panthers, but the very reason he got benched by *our own Mike Macdonald* is what rival teams are whispering about, and it’s impacting his value. The Panthers are desperate for cornerback help with Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson on injured reserve, their grip on the NFC South slipping, and ESPN has flagged Woolen as a potential reinforcement.
The Eagles Might Let Him Walk, But For How Much?
This high-upside corner signed a one-year deal with the Eagles and is a 2027 free agent, making him an intriguing target. Jeremy Fowler from ESPN reports that rival teams frequently bring up Woolen’s name when discussing who Philly might move. He has a digestible $1.26 million base salary, which makes a trade easier to facilitate, even if much of his $12 million in guarantees came from signing or restructured bonuses. There’s a 35 percent chance of him getting traded, according to ESPN. For a team like the Panthers needing an immediate boost and potential long-term play, that’s gotta be tempting.
Macdonald’s Benchings and Big Game Disappearing Acts
Now, for the part that’s got Seattle fans talking: Woolen’s talent is undeniable, but so are his flaws. He’s been benched multiple times in his career, not just by Pete Carroll, but also by *our current Head Coach, Mike Macdonald.* These benchings were mostly tied to effort issues when tackling in space. And yeah, we saw him develop a habit of fading in big moments and important games, even though his coverage numbers generally look pretty strong. It’s that kind of inconsistency that makes his trade market so fascinating. He is younger, longer, more athletic, and boasts a significantly higher ceiling than the other target the Panthers are eyeing, making him the better option for them if they can get past these red flags.
Donte Jackson Is the Other Option, But It’s Not Close
The Panthers are also looking at former Carolina cornerback Donte Jackson, now with the Los Angeles Chargers. Fowler notes that with cornerback being a position of need across the league, the Chargers could snag a draft pick for Jackson. At 30 years old, he has proven ball production and a reasonable $6 million base salary. Jackson is also set to hit free agency in March, which could make him appealing. But honestly, if the Panthers are smart, they will go all in on Woolen. The article suggests Woolen is worth a fourth-round pick, while Jackson should not command anything more than a sixth. The choice seems pretty clear, despite Woolen’s past.
So, the trade deadline is looming, and the Panthers are desperate for a corner to try and save their season. Woolen could definitely help their short-handed secondary right now, even with his history of getting benched by the likes of Mike Macdonald. It will be wild to see if the Panthers pull the trigger and what they give up for a player with so much potential, but also a track record of frustration. Will the promise outweigh the known issues? We’ll be watching to see how this plays out for the former Hawk.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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