Steelers Emerge as Possible Suitor for Riq Woolen
Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox named Pittsburgh a potential trade partner for Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Riq Woolen ahead of the deadline.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Football
Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox listed the Pittsburgh Steelers as a possible trade suitor for Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Riq Woolen. Ian Rapoport separately named Woolen among several players the Eagles could trade at the deadline.
Why it matters
The Steelers traded cornerback Joey Porter Jr. to the Dallas Cowboys in September, leaving their secondary in need of depth. Woolen, a former Pro Bowl selection, has started all eight games for the 2-6 Eagles this season.
Woolen has posted 30 combined tackles and six pass defenses for the Eagles in 2026, starting all eight games on a 1-year, $12 million deal. Knox projected his trade value as a conditional 2027 fifth-round pick, while the Eagles stand at 2-6 entering Week 9.
The players
Riq Woolen
Riq Woolen is a cornerback who made the Pro Bowl as a rookie with the Seattle Seahawks and later helped them reach the Super Bowl.
Kristopher Knox
Kristopher Knox is a Bleacher Report NFL analyst who covers player trades and roster moves across the league.
Ian Rapoport
Ian Rapoport is an NFL insider and reporter known for breaking news on player transactions and trade speculation.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are an NFL franchise based in Pittsburgh that has won six Super Bowl championships.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are an NFL franchise based in Philadelphia that won Super Bowl LII.
The details
Knox's projection suggests the Steelers could acquire Woolen for a Day 3 pick, and the team's secondary already includes Jamel Dean, Asante Samuel Jr., Daylen Everette and Jalen Ramsey. The Steelers are 17th in passing yards allowed and 10th in net passing yards per attempt, and they will not play again before the NFL trade deadline.
Timeline
September 2026: Steelers traded Joey Porter Jr. to the Dallas Cowboys.
2026 NFL free agency: Woolen signed a one-year, $12 million deal with the Eagles.
Week 9, November 8, 2026: Eagles face the New York Giants.
November 2026: NFL trade deadline.
Season Trajectory
Woolen was a key contributor to the Seahawks' 2025 Super Bowl run before signing with Philadelphia this offseason. His potential movement at the deadline reflects how struggling teams like the 2-6 Eagles often sell veteran defensive backs for future picks.
A Woolen trade would reshape the Steelers' depth chart and could alter fantasy projections for both teams' secondaries. Fans tracking roster moves should watch the deadline closely, since a Day 3 pick-level deal would be a modest but meaningful addition.
The takeaway
Trade speculation at the deadline often hinges on a player's contract and recent production, and Woolen's 2026 numbers and modest price tag make him a realistic target. Pittsburgh's secondary needs could make the connection worth watching.
What happens next
The NFL trade deadline falls in November 2026, when Philadelphia must decide whether to move Woolen.
Further reading
For more on the Steelers' outlook, see Football coverage in Pittsburgh.
