The Chicago Bears head to their bye week 2-2, and while they have some issues to figure out on both sides of the ball, adding to an injury-riddled cornerbacks room feels like it should be at the top of the list.
The Bears have lost All-Pro corner Jaylon Johnson indefinitely, and they’ve been forced to rely on Tyrique Stevenson and Nahshon Wright in his absence. Starting nickel corner Kyler Gordon has yet to play this season, and Terell Smith, a solid backup, is done for the year. With Jaylon Jones and Nick McCloud the depth behind Stevenson and Wright, Chicago’s corner rotation looks like it could be one injury away from disaster.
Meanwhile, over in Seattle, Riq Woolen — a 26-year-old former Pro Bowler with good size and speed — may be available via trade, which should absolutely interest the Bears.
“With #Seahawks star CB Devon Witherspoon returning on Thursday, teams are monitoring Pro Bowl CB Riq Woolen as a possible trade target by the deadline,” NFL insider Ian Rapoport wrote on X. “Woolen’s playing time has diminished, and in a contract year, teams believe he could be available.”
A Look at Woolen’s NFL Career Thus Far
GettySeahawks CB Riq Woolen may be available for trade. Should the Chicago Bears be interested?
A converted wideout at UTSA, Woolen showed up and showed out at the 2022 NFL combine. At 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, he ran a 4.26 40-yard dash and a had 42-inch vertical. The Seahawks took him in the fifth-round (No. 153 overall) and got an immediate payoff.
He led the NFL with six interceptions as a rookie, one of which was a pick-six. He also had 16 pass breakups, 63 tackles and a blocked field goal he ran back for a touchdown, earning a Pro Bowl nod after the season.
Year 2 brought a little regression but confirmed he’s not a one-hit wonder. Woolen started 16 games, broke up 11 passes and logged two picks despite playing through a spring knee scope. He had three INTs and 14 PBUs the following season in 2024.
This fall has been murkier, though. Seattle’s coach Mike Macdonald has shuffled the defensive backfield around a bit, and Woolen hasn’t had the same leash after a choppy start. A change of scenery might do him some good.
Over his four seasons, he has appeared in 52 games (50 starts), so he’s experienced enough to fill in for Johnson until the All-Pro CB is healthy again.
Why the Chicago Bears Should Inquire About a Riq Woolen Trade
Woolen is on an expiring rookie deal, so he has a great deal to play for this year.
Financially, adding him wouldn’t be a huge burden. Woolen’s 2025 cap hit sits around $5.4 million, and Chicago has cap space for that. GM Ryan Poles could treat the final stretch as a test drive: if Woolen thrives, the team can extend him. If things don’t work out, Chicago can move on.
Woolen would also be a good fit schematically. His length and recovery speed would let defensive coordinator Dennis Allen keep mix zone and match concepts without asking any of his CBs to survive on an island.
The trade cost probably won’t be outrageous, either. A Day 3 pick plus a conditional sweetener tied to playing time or interceptions could be enough.
For the Bears, they could patch a glaring hole right now and then see how Woolen acclimates. There’s no rush to sign him long-term, although that could be an option depending on how well he plays.
At just 26, Chicago could do a lot worse than Woolen, whose best playing days could still be in front of him.
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