Riq Woolen was on the verge of being traded, but what happened next shocked everyone. In a heartfelt meeting with GM John Schneider, Woolen made a powerful plea to stay in Seattle, vowing to fight harder than ever for his place. The Seahawks’ final decision changed everything—but what really made them keep him?
After learning that he had been included in preliminary trade discussions due to recent inconsistency, Riq Woolen walked straight into GM John Schneider’s office and made a heartfelt plea to stay in Seattle. Multiple team sources confirmed that Woolen expressed his unwavering loyalty to the city and franchise, promising to work harder than ever to regain the team’s trust
Those who witnessed the meeting described it as “honest and emotional.” Woolen didn’t make excuses — he simply asked for a chance to prove himself. One staff member recalled, “The way he spoke reminded everyone in the building why this locker room still feels like family.”
Moved by the player’s sincerity, Schneider immediately removed Woolen from all trade talks, informing the coaching staff that the young cornerback “remains a core piece of this team’s future.” According to sources, the decision completely shifted Seattle’s trade-deadline strategy —
from calculation to conviction.
The Seattle Seahawks have now officially decided to keep Riq Woolen, putting an end to days of speculation that he was part of the team’s trade plans ahead of the NFL deadline. What ultimately changed the front office’s mind wasn’t data or performance metrics — it was emotion.
At 25, Woolen remains one of the NFL’s most gifted young cornerbacks. Since being drafted in 2022, he has recorded 44 passes defended, ranking among the top five league-wide. His rare blend of 4.26 speed, 6’4’’ frame, and coverage instincts has made him a cornerstone of Seattle’s fast, disciplined secondary.
With Woolen anchoring the backfield alongside Devon Witherspoon, Julian Love, and Coby Bryant, the Seahawks continue to boast one of the most dynamic secondaries in football — a modern echo of the Legion of Boom.
Following the decision, Woolen spoke from the heart about what staying in Seattle truly means to him:
“The Seahawks are not just a team to me, they’re family. I’ve grown through every challenge with this locker room. I still have so much to prove. If it takes a pay cut to keep wearing this navy and action green, I’ll do it — because Seattle means more than money to me.”
A statement not of survival, but of devotion — one that captures the spirit of a player who refused to walk away from the city that made him who he is.
Chiefs Predicted to Add 7,000-Yard RB in ‘No-Brainer’ Move
The Kansas City Chiefs have steadied the ship after an 0-2 start, pulling back to 2-2 and improving on offense with the return of second-year wide receiver Xavier Worthy.
While the Chiefs have more reinforcements on the way for their passing game with the return of Rashee Rice in Week 7, one analyst believes the team could use more help on the ground. The Chiefs have struggled to establish a running game at times, with quarterback Patrick Mahomes serving as the most effective rusher through the first month.
That could change with the addition of a 7,000-yard rusher who could be an affordable buy at the NFL trade deadline.
Chiefs Turn to Pro Bowler for Help
SI.com’s Matt Verderame cooked up potential trades for all 32 NFL teams ahead of the deadline, suggesting the Chiefs could land New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara for a fifth-round pick. Verderame noted that Kansas City’s passing game will likely continue to improve, and Kamara can do the same for the rushing attack.
With Xavier Worthy back and Rashee Rice due back from suspension in Week 7, the Chiefs don’t need receiving help. However, they could use serious help in the run game,” Verderame wrote. Kansas City’s running backs are averaging 3.5 yards per carry, with Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt both slated to become free agents. “
Verderame added that it would be an easy decision if the Chiefs could add the multi-talented Kamara, who has more than 7,000 rushing and 4,800 receiving yards in his career. Though he has seen a dip in production in recent years, Kamara would still be the best tailback in Kansas City’s backfield.
If the Chiefs can acquire Kamara from New Orleans for a late-round pick, it’s a no-brainer,” Verderame wrote. “Kansas City has only $3 million in cap space, but Kamara’s cap hit is a proration of $2.9 million before a nonguaranteed 11.5 million next year. Through four games, Kamara has 256 rushing yards and a touchdown.”
Chiefs Could Find Other Trade-Deadline Targets
If the Chiefs aim to add some rushing help at the upcoming trade deadline, they could have some other targets in mind. ESPN’s Dan Graziano suggested that the Jacksonville Jaguars could look into trading running back Travis Etienne Jr. as part of a months-long shakeup in the backfield that started with the trade of Tank Bigsby.
The Jaguars drafted Bhayshul Tuten in the fourth round of this year’s draft and then took passing-down back LeQuint Allen Jr. in the seventh,” Graziano noted. Those two probably form the future of the team’s backfield; Jacksonville already traded Tank Bigsby to the Eagles. If the Jaguars fall out of contention and want to get a longer look at their rookies, Etienne and his $6.143 million salary would probably be pretty easy to move.
Others have suggested the Chiefs could target Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane, as the Dolphins are expected to move into selling mode. The season-ending injury to wide receiver Tyreek Hill could complicate Miami’s plans, however, as the team is now short of talent on offense and their win over the New York Jets has kept them on the fringes of playoff contention.
