ESPN analyst Ben Solak predicted Tuesday that the Philadelphia Eagles will trade cornerback Riq Woolen to the Chicago Bears ahead of the 2026 NFL trade deadline.
The Eagles stand at 2-4 following a four-game losing streak and sit second in the NFC East. Questions have grown about whether the club will contend deep into the season, even in a division that has not produced a clear favorite.
General manager Howie Roseman has a history of aggressive moves and could explore dealing veteran assets as the calendar approaches mid-November. Woolen has emerged as one of the more discussed names in that conversation.
The 27-year-old cornerback signed a one-year contract with Philadelphia in the spring worth roughly $12 million. He has started all six games this season opposite Quinyon Mitchell.
Through those six starts, Woolen has posted 24 combined tackles, four passes defended and one forced fumble. He has not recorded an interception.
Woolen has started 59 games across his five NFL seasons, the bulk of them with the Seattle Seahawks, where he earned Pro Bowl honors as a rookie and won Super Bowl LX last season.
“Woolen is one of the more interesting trade candidates in Philadelphia. The Eagles clearly intended to make Woolen a one-year player and recoup a compensatory draft pick for him next year after a strong season in Vic Fangio’s defense. That plan hasn’t gone entirely swimmingly — Woolen’s play has been up-and-down, and his penalty woes have continued,” Solak wrote.
“How confident are the Eagles in the comp pick they’ll get for Woolen next year? If a team comes calling with a strong enough offer, the Eagles can dodge the comp pick calculations and get value for Woolen now. That team might be the Bears, who should be desperate for cornerback help after what they saw the Packers do to Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson Sr. in Week 5.”
Solak noted that Woolen’s length, speed and quickness fit a defense that leans on man coverage. The Bears rank among the league’s higher-volume man teams this season under coordinator Dennis Allen.
Philadelphia’s original plan centered on letting Woolen walk in free agency and receiving compensatory draft compensation. That path carries uncertainty, however, because the league’s formula does not guarantee a return equal to or better than what a trade could produce.
Dealing Woolen now would remove that risk while still netting draft capital for a player on an expiring deal. Contending clubs seeking cornerback help could view him as a rental with playoff experience.
Solak also projected that the Eagles will move as many as three players before the deadline, including All-Pro running back Saquon Barkley. Philadelphia has already traded center Cam Jurgens this season.
The NFL trade deadline arrives Nov. 10 at 4 p.m. Eastern. Any deal involving Woolen would need to be completed by that point.
