The Seattle Seahawks are receiving trade inquiries on cornerback Riq Woolen and linebacker Boye Mafe ahead of the deadline, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Saturday.
The news comes after NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported in September that teams around the NFL are “monitoring” the status of Woolen, who was selected to the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2022 and could be a potential trade deadline target this year.
Woolen appears to have fallen out of favor with Seattle’s coaching staff, as Rapoport noted that his “playing time has diminished,” and the fact that he’s in a contract year has led teams to “believe he could be available.”
Through six games this season, Woolen has 19 tackles and three passes defended. To make his outlook even more bleak, Seahawks star cornerback Devon Witherspoon has been fantastic in just two games this year, recording 17 tackles and a quarterback hit.
Woolen was once projected to be a key member of Seattle’s defensive core. He led the league with six interceptions as a rookie, but he hasn’t played at that level to start this season. He surrendered two big plays in Week 1 during the San Francisco 49ers’ go-ahead touchdown drive, and his struggles continued in subsequent games. He’s committed six penalties already this season, just three shy of his career high.
Mafe, meanwhile, has recorded nine tackles and two quarterback hits in seven games. He has been a staple in the Seattle defense since being drafted in 2022 out of Minnesota.
At 5-2, the Seahawks have a strong chance to compete for a playoff spot after falling short of the postseason in each of the last two years. An increased sense of urgency could lead Seattle to ship way a struggling player like Woolen in hopes of trimming the fat ahead of the playoff race.
