While the Legion of Boom days are long gone, the Seattle Seahawks are now well on their way to boasting one of the NFL‘s best defenses yet again.
The Seahawks’ defense is strong at all levels, but is particularly beefy in the secondary, much like it was during the days of Richard Sherman and Co.
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Devon Witherspoon has made the Pro Bowl in each of his first two seasons, Julian Love and Coby Bryant comprise an impressive safety duo, and then there is Riq Woolen, Seattle’s star cornerback who became eligible for a contract extension after 2024.
The Seahawks have not yet paid Woolen, whose price has certainly increased after numerous cornerbacks around the league landed massive deals over the last several months.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox has sent a stern warning to Seattle regarding negotiations over Woolen, noting that the Seahawks may want to get a move on.
“The price of top-tier cornerbacks is steadily rising and inching near the cost of premium pass-rushers,” Knox wrote. “Sauce Gardner just signed a new market-leading deal worth $30.1 million annually, and [DaRon] Bland’s contract comes in at $22.5 million per year. Woolen’s price point may already fall between those two deals, and it’s likely to keep increasing the longer the Seahawks wait.”
Woolen played in 15 games last season, registering 46 tackles, three interceptions and 14 passes defended. He made the Pro Bowl during his rookie campaign in 2022 when he finished with 63 tackles, six picks (which led the NFL), three fumble recoveries and 16 passes defended.
The 26-year-old has not been quite as good since his debut season, but he has still been effective enough to warrant a long-term contract from Seattle.
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Of course, the Seahawks also need to worry about extending Witherspoon in the future, as well, so it will be interesting to see how Seattle proceeds.
Perhaps the front office is merely waiting to see how Woolen looks this fall before committing to any firm decisions.
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