The Detroit Lions are expected to make significant changes to their cornerbacks room during the 2026 offseason, and one bold prediction has tied them to a high-priced free agent from Seattle. With injuries and expiring contracts exposing a lack of depth in the secondary, Detroit is once again projected to be aggressive in addressing a critical defensive weakness.
The urgency is amplified by uncertainty in the slot, where Amik Robertson is set to hit free agency. While Robertson provided stability when healthy, his potential departure would leave the Lions without a proven interior corner. Compounding the issue, Detroit’s secondary was ravaged by injuries in 2025, including Terrion Arnold being limited to just eight appearances.
According to Pro Football and Sports Network’s Ryan Guthrie, the Lions could look to the open market for reinforcements — specifically Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen. Spotrac projects Woolen to command a four-year, $62.7 million contract, a price tag that would make him one of the more expensive defensive free agents available.
Guthrie believes Woolen’s skill set fits what Detroit needs on the outside. He noted that Woolen excelled early in his career in press-man and Cover 3 concepts and still performed at a high level in 2025, posting an 81.7 cornerback impact score that ranked 27th league-wide. His length and athleticism, Guthrie argued, would immediately upgrade a secondary short on dependable talent.
Despite his production, Woolen’s future in Seattle appears uncertain. The former standout reportedly fell out of favor with the Seahawks’ coaching staff in recent seasons, making it increasingly unlikely the team will commit to a long-term extension. If Seattle lets him walk, Woolen is expected to generate strong interest across the league.
Statistically, Woolen profiles as a legitimate starting-caliber cornerback. Over four NFL seasons, he has allowed a completion rate of just 54.2 percent and a passer rating of 70.6 when targeted, numbers that suggest he can still be a reliable boundary defender in the right system.
However, the projected fit with Detroit raises legitimate concerns. Woolen has rarely played in the slot, logging just 107 snaps there during his career. That limitation is significant, as the Lions’ most pressing need is inside coverage help rather than another perimeter corner.
Detroit already has its boundary roles largely spoken for with Terrion Arnold and D.J. Reed. Unless the Lions are willing to move one of those players inside — or dramatically reshape their secondary — committing more than $60 million to another outside corner would be difficult to justify.
As a result, the more realistic expectation is that Detroit targets cheaper depth options behind Reed and Arnold while either re-signing Robertson or replacing him with a corner who has extensive slot experience. While Woolen’s name may generate headlines, his projected price and positional fit suggest the Lions’ true offseason focus may lie elsewhere.
