PHILADELPHIA — Howie Roseman just reminded the NFL why he is the master of the salary cap. The Philadelphia Eagles officially signed cornerback Riq Woolen to a one-year deal worth up to $15 million, securing a Super Bowl champion to anchor the perimeter. While the move solidifies the cornerback room, a massive hole remains: the departure of Reed Blankenship has left the safety position in total flux as the 2026 offseason enters its second week.
Woolen arrives in Philly after a Super Bowl run with the Seattle Seahawks where he proved he still possesses the elite speed that terrified scouts in 2022. Though he played a subpackage role for Mike Macdonald in 2025 behind Devon Witherspoon, his 12 pass breakups and championship pedigree make him a high-upside gamble. Roseman structured the deal with four void years, shrinking Woolen’s 2026 cap hit to a manageable $3.4 million.
The Eagles didn’t stop with Woolen. Roseman added juice to the pass rush by signing Arnold Ebiketie, a former Temple and Penn State standout who recorded 14 sacks over his last three seasons in Atlanta. Depth signings like veteran tight end Johnny Mundt and cornerback Jonathan Jones further round out a roster that Bleacher Report already ranks as the fourth-best in the league.
“I’m here to win another ring. Philly has that same hunger I saw in Seattle last year. You can feel the energy the second you walk into the building. It’s time to fly.”
— Riq Woolen, Eagles Cornerback
Despite the influx of talent, the secondary feels incomplete. Reed Blankenship signed a $24.5 million deal with the Texans, taking his leadership to Houston. That leaves the Eagles with 2025 second-round pick Andrew Mukuba—who is still recovering from surgery—and hybrid defender Michael Carter II as the primary options. Sydney Brown remains on the roster but hasn’t yet secured a permanent starting role.
To avoid being forced into a “need” pick at No. 23 or No. 54 in the upcoming draft, the Eagles must look at the veteran market. Two names stand out:
If Roseman wants a sure thing, Epps is the move. If he wants to maximize the pass rush by having a safety who can erase mistakes over the top, Davis has the higher ceiling. With over $40 million in remaining cap space, the Eagles have the flexibility to sign both if they choose.
