Riq Woolen needs to step up for the Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks suffered a bitter end to Week 1, falling to the division rival San Francisco 49ers 17-13.

It was an even more disappointing week for fourth-year cornerback Riq Woolen, who struggled often and in big plays. 

Woolen allowed 80 yards and a touchdown while conceding  a passer rating of 158.. He also allowed a critical deep route from 49ers' second-round wide receiver Ricky Pearsall in a key 49ers' late-game drive to help the team take the lead. 

That type of performance isn't a great first impression in a prove-it year for the one-time Pro Bowler ahead of a potential trip to free agency. Woolen did little to show he deserves a lucrative second contract and even created questions about whether he's the No. 1 cornerback in Seattle.

Josh Jobe had an incredible performance for the Seahawks against the fast and explosive 49ers offense. He stayed with his assigned receiver and made a big interception on quarterback Brock Purdy. 

In Wednesday's press conference, head coach Mike Macdonald was non-committal when it came to Woolen being a starting cornerback moving forward. 

We’ll see,” Macdonald said, via Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times.

The uncertainty at cornerback comes amid the Seahawks' preparations for their first road of the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Seahawks’ defensive backs will go against a familiar face in wide receiver DK Metcalf, who was traded this past offseason. 

Metcalf knows how to beat Woolen and Witherspoon in coverages after multiple seasons of facing each other in practice. This game could be a redemption for Woolen as he could shut down Metcalf, Aaron Rodger’s favorite target. Or he could have another poor performance that creates further doubt about his future with the Seahawks and his next contract.

The Seahawks may have already lost faith in Woolen as a No. 1 cornerback, although he should still get an opportunity to change their mind. Sunday’s game at the Steelers will be telling, both in terms of how the Seahawks deploy Woolen and how he responds after a bad start to the season.

Regardless of the future implications, the Seahawks need Woolen to step up in Week 2 to help slow a Steelers offense that put up 34 points in Week 1 if Seattle is going to get its first win of the 2025 season.