Woolen reflects on his performance: "I could have just played the ball better."

The Seattle Seahawks face a critical decision regarding their cornerback lineup ahead of their matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, following a shaky performance by Riq Woolen in their season opener.

Why it matters: The Seahawks secondary is under scrutiny as they prepare to face a Steelers offense that thrives on exploiting defensive weaknesses.

• With injuries affecting key players like Devon Witherspoon and Julian Love, the team must find a solution to shore up its pass defense.
• Woolen's struggles could have significant implications for the Seahawks' overall performance this season.

What’s new: Following a disappointing outing against the San Francisco 49ers, where Woolen allowed three receptions for 73 yards and one touchdown, the team's coaching staff is evaluating his future role.

• Woolen's passer rating allowed was an alarming 156.3, a stark contrast to his 78.7 rating from last season, which ranked him 16th among 77 defenders who played at least 500 coverage snaps.

Yes, but: Despite Woolen's recent struggles, he has been a standout player in previous seasons.

• "He made some tremendous plays for us," said defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, highlighting the Pro Bowl corner's potential to rebound.
• Woolen himself acknowledged his need for improvement, stating, "I could have just played the ball better... I’ve just got to execute and attack the ball."

What to watch: Josh Jobe's emergence adds an intriguing dynamic to the competition at cornerback.

• After intercepting a pass and allowing just one catch for a yard on five targets in Week 1, Jobe proved he can be a reliable option.
• He played 61 of 76 defensive snaps, indicating that he may be earning more trust from the coaching staff.

The big picture: Injuries are complicating the Seahawks' defensive strategy.

• With both Witherspoon and Love limited in practice, the Seahawks must carefully assess their depth and how they will deploy their secondary against the Steelers' passing attack.
• Uchenna Nwosu's return from knee surgery could provide additional support to the defense, but his conditioning and readiness remain in question.

The bottom line: As the Seahawks gear up for their next game, decisions regarding Woolen and Jobe will weigh heavily on the team's success.

• If Woolen remains in the starting lineup, he will need to quickly bounce back to avoid further vulnerabilities in a defense that is already adjusting to injury challenges.
• Conversely, if Jobe takes on a larger role, it could mark a significant shift in the team’s defensive approach moving forward.