Ernest Jones insists Seattle Seahawks' defense still trusts Riq Woolen
There may be no greater gap between two NFL cornerbacks than the one separating Riq Woolen in a normal game and Riq Woolen in a big game. The Seattle Seahawks' star cornerback undeniably has oodles of talent and athleticism that could in theory make him the greatest DB in the game.
However, Woolen has developed a bad habit of disappearing at the worst possible times in the most-important moments for the Seahawks. We witnessed several examples in yesterday's loss to the San Francisco 49ers, including multiple huge completions on the 49ers' go-ahead drive and the touchdown catch that wound up sealing their win.
Woolen should be able to shut down the league's quickest wide receivers and biggest tight ends, but he seemingly keeps on losing focus when it matters the most and giving up big plays.
Despite his ghastly finish to the game, afterwards middle linebacker Ernest Jones IV told reporters that the Seahawks' defense still trusts Woolen to get the job done.
It's nice that Jones still has confidence in his teammate and this is exactly what he's supposed to say. However, it's not his job to gauge Woolen's value as he plays out the final year of his rookie contract. That falls on general manager John Schneider, who has a hell of a difficult decision to make about Woolen's future with the organization.
By no means should the Seahawks make their decision about Woolen based on one bad game, but this isn't the first or the second time this has happened.
Woolen is still a well-above average defender with a ceiling very few can match. However, the fact is that the sharpest offensive playcallers around the league have made a habit of targeting him in high-leverage moments - and it keeps on working out in their favor.
Even with all his warts, there's still a case to extend him and it would be a big mistake for the Seahawks to let Woolen walk in free agency next year. That means Schneider has to seriously consider selling high and getting what he can for Woolen before the trade deadline.
Browns Shake Up Quarterback Race: Joe Flacco Enters Competition for Starting Role
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the NFL, the Cleveland Browns have officially announced that Joe Flacco, former Super Bowl MVP, is now in the running for the starting quarterback job. The news has stirred up an intense debate among fans and analysts alike, as Flacco — who hasn’t started a full season since 2019 — looks to reassert himself as one of the league's elite signal-callers.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed the surprising twist in the quarterback competition, revealing that Flacco’s experience and leadership could be pivotal as the Browns head into the 2025 season.
“We’ve seen the skillset Joe brings to the table, and we want to see how he fits into our system,” Stefanski stated in a press conference. “This is an open competition, and Joe will absolutely be in the mix for that starting role.”
Flacco, now 40, has been battling back from a series of setbacks, but the veteran QB hasn’t given up on his NFL career. Despite his age, he’s proven to be a calming presence in the locker room and has shown flashes of the arm strength and accuracy that earned him a spot in history with the Ravens.
The announcement has thrown the Browns' quarterback race into chaos. Deshaun Watson, who was expected to be the team’s franchise quarterback, now faces a legitimate challenge from Flacco, who brings a wealth of playoff experience and a championship pedigree.
Fans have exploded across social media, with reactions ranging from shock to excitement. One viral post read: “Flacco competing for QB1? Now that’s a storyline I didn’t see coming.”
This unexpected twist has ignited discussions about the future of the Browns’ offense and whether a quarterback battle between the experienced Flacco and the young Watson could be the key to Cleveland’s resurgence.
As training camp heats up, one thing is clear: this quarterback competition is far from over — and Joe Flacco is very much in the race.
