Pro Football Focus just confirmed what all Seahawks fans knew about Riq Woolen
Riq Woolen has been a pretty divisive player for the Seattle Seahawks since he was drafted by the team in 2022. 12s loved the player at first as he appeared to be a long-term shutdown cornerback and another fifth-round steal for the team. Then things changed.
After getting six interceptions as a rookie, tying for the NFL lead, he has had a total of five in the three seasons since. He was still solid in coverage, but not as good as in his first season. Plus, he appeared not to want to get involved in run defense.
The odd part was that as a rookie, Woolen played a physical game that reminded some of how Seahawks icon Richard Sherman used to play. After a knee injury ahead of his second season, that aggression has diminished greatly. Until the last few games of this season.
Pro Football Focus proves Seattle Seahawks' Riq Woolen is playing at an elite level
Woolen wasn't truly benched by head coach Mike Macdonald after a difficult start to 2025, but he did begin losing a lot more reps to Josh Jobe in two cornerback sets. Woolen wasn't only trending toward not being a real starter for the Seahawks; he was literally losing money in 2026.
The cornerback is a free agent after this season, and while he has shown he can provide great coverage, he has been doing so less consistently, and his attitude appeared to fade. That might have only been a false appearance, however.
According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Riq Woolen is the second-best "lockdown" defensive back this season. PFF defines lockdown coverage as the opportunity for receivers to create separation and how often a defensive back doesn't allow that to happen. That makes completing a pass much more difficult if a DB has exceedingly sticky coverage.
PFF says that Woolen has had 100 lockdown chances in 2025, and has provided that 65 percent of the time. He trails only Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner in percentage. (The good part for the Seattle Seahawks is that Jobe is fourth at 60.63 percent.)
Woolen has also improved as the season has grown older. In his first five games of the season, the cornerback allowed 13 of 18 targets to be completed for 183 yards (14.1 yards per catch) and a touchdown. In the last four games, he has allowed only 10 of 25 targets to be completed for 69 yards (6.9 yards per catch) and one touchdown.
The TD came in Week 11 against the Los Angeles Rams, and was basically an unguardable route run by wide receiver Davante Adams. Nothing Woolen could have done would have changed the outcome of the one-yard completion.
In other words, Woolen is back to potentially making a lot of money for himself this offseason, maybe even with the Seahawks. If he keeps playing as well as he has in the last four games, let's hope so.
Payton’s Bold Promise: 'We’re Just Getting Started—The Best Is Yet to Come'
In a season filled with highs and lows, Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton has made one thing clear: his team is just getting started. After a series of impressive performances that have highlighted the Broncos' resilience, Payton delivered a powerful message that has fans and analysts buzzing. "This team has shown what it’s capable of. We’ve faced adversity, but we never back down. Each week, we come out stronger, more focused. And trust me, we’re just getting started. The best is yet to come."
Payton’s words come after a string of difficult but ultimately rewarding games, where the Broncos have fought back from challenging situations and proven their mettle. With each passing week, the team is evolving, learning from past mistakes, and building on its successes. According to Payton, the foundation has been laid, and now the team is prepared to take things to the next level.
"What we’ve seen is a team that refuses to be knocked down," Payton continued. "We’ve been through the fire, and it’s only made us stronger. We’re not satisfied with where we are—we’re constantly looking to improve, to evolve. Every week is an opportunity to show the world what we can do, and we’re not backing down."
The Broncos have faced their fair share of adversity this season, with injuries and close games putting their resolve to the test. But rather than crumbling under pressure, the team has continued to rise. With a revamped offense, a defense that’s been tougher than ever, and a growing sense of unity, Payton believes the best is yet to come. And his confidence is contagious. Players like quarterback Russell Wilson and linebacker Patrick Surtain II have echoed Payton’s sentiments, believing that the team’s potential is far from fully realized.
For Payton, it’s not just about winning games—it’s about building something sustainable. He’s focused on the long-term growth of the team, ensuring that each player understands their role in the bigger picture. Payton's leadership has instilled a sense of purpose and belief in this team, one that is ready to make a deep playoff run and, eventually, contend for championships.
As the Broncos head into the second half of the season, all eyes are on them to see if they can continue to build on the momentum Payton has started. With the coach’s unwavering belief in his team, it’s clear that the road ahead will be filled with excitement, determination, and, most importantly, the promise of greatness.
