Eagles Notebook: Woolen was attracted to Birds’ winning culture, defense
Also: The latest on Landon Dickerson, Braden Mann and Jihaad Campbell
From the Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/57azfm34
PHILADELPHIA — Tariq Woolen understands the opportunity in front of him.
The Eagles’ newest cornerback said he’s ready to compete for a role in a secondary that has been searching for stability opposite Quinyon Mitchell since last summer.
“I’m just excited to be here,” Woolen said during his introductory press conference at the team facility Thursday. “I’m ready to work and compete and show what I can do.”
The Eagles agreed to terms with the 26-year-old corner earlier this week on a one-year, $12 million deal that adds a former Pro Bowl player with rare size and speed to a position group that has been in flux.
At 6-foot-4 with elite long speed, Woolen brings a physical profile that few cornerbacks possess. He ran a 4.26-second 40-yard dash during the 2022 pre-draft process and immediately turned heads as a rookie with the Seattle Seahawks, recording six interceptions and earning Pro Bowl honors.
Now he arrives in Philadelphia looking for a fresh start.
“I feel like I’ve got a lot to prove,” said Woolen, whose payout can increase to $15 million with incentives. “I’m ready to come in, learn the defense and help this team win.”
Addressing the CB2 question
Cornerback depth has been a lingering question for the Eagles since training camp last year. The outside spot opposite Mitchell never fully stabilized. Injuries and inconsistent play forced the Eagles to rotate multiple players through the CB2 role during the season.
The team’s defensive structure under coordinator Vic Fangio places a premium on corners who can play press coverage, use length on the perimeter and handle matchups without constant safety help.
Woolen fits that profile.
Originally selected by the Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, he transitioned to cornerback only late in his college career after beginning as a wide receiver at University of Texas at San Antonio. His combination of length, speed and ball skills allowed him to develop quickly.
Over four seasons in Seattle, Woolen recorded 203 combined tackles, 12 interceptions and 53 passes defended.
A prove-it opportunity
Philadelphia’s one-year deal gives the Eagles flexibility while giving Woolen a chance to reset his trajectory.
Woolen said the Birds’ defensive identity — and their expectation to compete for championships — was a major reason he wanted to come here after Seattle declined to re-sign him.
“It’s a winning culture,” he said. “You see how they play defense here. That’s something I wanted to be a part of.”
For the Eagles, the move represents a low-risk addition with potentially significant upside.
If Woolen returns to the form he showed early in his career, he could quickly emerge as the favorite for the starting job opposite Mitchell. At minimum, his presence adds another long, athletic corner to a position group that needed depth.
The Eagles have built much of their defensive philosophy around generating pressure up front and allowing their corners to challenge receivers on the outside. Woolen’s physical traits — particularly his height and speed — make him an intriguing fit.
“I’m ready to compete,” Woolen said. “That’s what it’s about.”
Landon Dickerson’s shortened deal
The Eagles and three-time Pro Bowl left guard Landon Dickerson have agreed to a restructured two-year contract at $36 million, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported.
Dickerson was previously due $39 million in 2026-27 but can hit that with 2027 incentives.
He’s due $15.7 million this year and is no longer under contract in 2028.
Jihaad Campbell update
Linebacker Jihaad Campbell, set to replace Nakobe Dean full-time alongside Zack Baun, is suffering from a serious shoulder injury and will miss most of the offseason, Fangio told NBC Sports Philadelphia’s John Clark at a reception honoring former coach Dick Vermeil.
Campbell, whom the Eagles drafted in the first round last year, has been dealing with shoulder issues since college at Alabama. He underwent surgery on a torn labrum before the 2024 draft, which may have caused him to fall to the Eagles at No. 31.
Campbell, a South Jersey native, played in 18 games last season, starting 10 before Dean returned from a knee injury. He had 80 combined tackles, three pass deflections, a QB hit, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Dean agreed to a three-year, $36 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders this week.
Extension for Braden Mann
The Eagles re-signed punter Braden Mann to a four-year, $14 million deal with $7 million guaranteed, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
His gross punting average (49.9 yards) ranked sixth in the NFL. Mann, 28, had a net average of 43.9 yards. His 20 punts inside the 20-yard line were middle of the pack. He tied for the ninth-longest punt in the league with a 70-yarder.
Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X at @the_defranc.