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The Philadelphia Eagles are 2-5 after a Monday night loss to the Dallas Cowboys, and with the trade deadline under two weeks away, rumors are intensifying. Cornerback Riq Woolen's name has surfaced in many trade discussions, but the 27-year-old is not letting the speculation affect his routine.
Woolen, who inked a one-year, $12 million contract in March, has appeared in every game this season, recording 27 tackles and six pass breakups. However, he has yet to snag an interception, and his performance on Monday was shaky—he allowed seven yards and a touchdown. Despite the struggles, Woolen told reporters on Wednesday that he is not going anywhere unless the team decides to trade him.
"You hear things, but nobody knows the truth," Woolen said, per Yahoo Sports. "People on social media can say a million things, but they don't know the real plan. Only the general manager and the coach know what's actually happening." He added that he has been through this before, having dealt with trade rumors last year while with the Seattle Seahawks. That experience has helped him stay calm and focused.
Woolen emphasized that the outside noise does not matter to him. "Other than that, you can see me going to any team, or you can hear anything about me going to a team, but to me, that doesn't matter just because I'm here every day working with these guys," he said.
The Eagles have two young cornerbacks, Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, who are seeking new contracts, which could make Woolen's future with the team uncertain. However, Woolen is not acting like a player ready to leave. He feels a strong sense of responsibility to his teammates and the organization.
Key Analysis
Woolen's grounded approach stems from his previous experience with trade rumors in Seattle. "Even when I was in Seattle last year and my name came up in trade reports, I still had to come to work every day because my brothers need me," he said. He believes his teammates need his full presence, not a distracted mind. "They work hard as hell too, so I'm going to deal with my feet up and let the chips fall where they may be, but I'm right here in Philly and that's the place I want to be."
With the NFL trade deadline looming, General Manager Howie Roseman might consider moving Woolen to acquire draft picks. The Eagles already have eight picks and could be positioned for a top-10 selection. But Woolen is not planning an exit; he intends to keep working until told otherwise. The Eagles next face the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 1.
Originally reported by yahoo.