Despite their efforts to improve the cornerback position during the 2025 offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers have major problems in the secondary. While we all thought the departure of Minkah Fitzpatrick would have made the free safety position a glaring weakness, it's been the starting right cornerback position that has been arguably the worst on the team.
Darius Slay is the culprit. The 34-year-old cornerback has been dusted by younger receivers in the secondary, and All-Pro Ja'Marr Chase recently made mincemeat out of the aging veteran. On the season, Slay has surrendered a 130.4 passer rating while giving up over 300 yards and two touchdowns.
Fortunately, the Steelers may have just found a trade block candidate who could save their defense.
Ahead of the 2025 NFL trade deadline, ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler listed Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen as the fourth-best trade candidate who could be moved at the deadline. After three encouraging seasons, including a Pro Bowl campaign as a rookie in 2022, Woolen has struggled to fit with Mike Macdonald's new defense.
Because of his inconsistencies and scheme fit, the Seahawks are reportedly open to moving on from Woolen... and the Steelers could answer the call.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could trade for Seattle Seahawks CB Riq Woolen
With the Seahawks shifting to a heavy zone scheme, Woolen is no longer a scheme fit. This has also led to many of his struggles in 2025. Woolen does his best work in man coverage and Cover 3.
Fortunately for Pittsburgh, this is exactly what they want to do. Entering Week 8, the Steelers have played the seventh-highest percent of man coverage in the NFL, per Sharp Football Analysis. This shouldn't come as a major surprise, as defensive coordinator Teryl Austin has shifted to more man coverage in the past. While Joey Porter Jr. is built for a press-man scheme, Slay no longer possesses the athletic traits to play consistent coverage in man.
That's where Woolen comes in. In a down season and on the final year of his rookie contract, the Steelers could poach the talented cornerback away from the Seahawks for a mid-round pick. Though this seems steep for what is essentially a half-year rental, Pittsburgh could elect to sign Woolen to a contract extension if he plays well the rest of the way.
READ MORE: Steelers suddenly linked to surprise trade target (but fans shouldn’t celebrate yet)
Woolen has undeniable traits for the position and the length that Pittsburgh desires in the secondary. Woolen stands at 6'4'' and 205 pounds with 33 5/8'' arms. He also ran a blazing 4.26 40-yard dash at the 2022 NFL Combine with a 42-inch vertical jump.
The addition of Woolen would give Pittsburgh a tremendous burst of speed at boundary cornerback, while the combination of Porter and Woolen would make the longest CB pairing in the NFL. The best part is that Woolen would step in to improve perhaps the weakest position on the starting lineup.
Darius Slay was once a great NFL player, but just like we saw with Patrick Peterson two years ago, his best days are behind him, and he's now a liability. Riq Woolen would be an excellent trade fit, and Fowler believes there's a good chance he gets moved before the deadline. The Pittsburgh Steelers should be on the phone.