Controversial Seahawks DB earned a significant performance-based bonus in 2024

Riq Woolen isn't always on his A-game, but he was often enough to earn a substantial bonus.

Dec 8, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

There's no denying that the Seattle Seahawks have some talented athletes around, even after sending DK Metcalf and Geno Smith packing in a span of 48 hours. With Metcalf out of the picture, the title belt for the most-athletic player on the roster should probably fall to fourth-year cornerback Riq Woolen, a fifth-round draft pick from 2022 out of UTSA.

Woolen has already far exceeded any reasonable expectations one could possibly have for a Day 3 cornerback. However, the bar is appropriately set higher for someone with Woolen's skillset and attributes, which include alien-like measurables in height, length and speed at the game's most-challenging position physically.

Despite all those gifts, Woolen's performance has come under fire occasionally for a perceived lack of focus or effort, and he admittedly isn't always on his A-game. Then again, Woolen is often enough to continue earning prestigious awards in his career. As a rookie he posted a league-high six interceptions and made the Pro Bowl. This year he's earned himself a significant performance-based bonus.

According to a press release from the NFL, Woolen earned a $841,976 bonus for his play on the field during the 2024 season. That's among the 25-biggest performance bonuses paid out in the league.

The NFL announced their top 25 performance-based payouts, with #Jets LB Jamien Sherwood leading the way.

Performance-based pay is a system the league has in place for players for players with high snap counts and low salaries. pic.twitter.com/h85KPp9ajy

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 12, 2025

The Seahawks are nearing a decision about Woolen's long-term future. With no fifth-year option to take advantage of, they have to choose sometime in the next calendar year whether they should give Woolen a lucrative second contract, or if they should sell high and trade him to another team instead.

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