ROD MAR/SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
When Ernest Jones IV joined the Seattle Seahawks in October, his world was still in flux. Fresh off a trade from the Tennessee Titans, the fourth-year linebacker was busy finding a house in the Seattle area while most of his teammates enjoyed the team’s Week 10 bye.
“Finally getting out of the hotel,” Jones said. “Now we’re just waiting on our furniture to get here.”
For Jones and his family, Seattle offers stability after being traded twice in two months. For the Seahawks, Jones has brought leadership and an immediate boost to a defense that was struggling. The pending free agent may have finally found a home — both on and off the field.
Jones’ Immediate Impact
The Seahawks acquired Jones on October 23 in a trade with Tennessee. Seattle sent linebacker Jerome Baker and a 2025 fourth-round pick to the Titans, filling a significant need on defense. At the time, the Seahawks were ranked 28th in the league in run defense, allowing 146.1 rushing yards per game.
Jones wasted no time making an impact. In his debut during Week 9, he recorded 15 tackles despite just one practice and a walk-through with his new team. Over nine games, Jones tallied 85 tackles, leading the Seahawks by 30 and helping transform their defense. Since Week 9, Seattle’s run defense has improved to eighth in the NFL, giving up only 97.8 yards per game.
Safety Julian Love credited Jones for the turnaround, saying, “I think No. 13 is probably what’s working. “That dude’s a stud. We all really appreciate having him, and he’s just such a good leader in terms of he’s very steady, he communicates clearly, and above all, he’s a dog. He has a see-ball, get-ball mentality. When you have that, guys are playing off him.”
The Journey to Seattle
Jones’ arrival in Seattle came after a tumultuous few months. Drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2021, Jones was traded to Tennessee in August as he entered the final year of his rookie contract. With the Titans off to a 1-5 start and facing tough financial decisions, they opted to move Jones again, this time to Seattle.
Seahawks General Manager John Schneider worked closely with Titans president of football operations Chad Brinker, a longtime friend, to finalize the trade. Schneider initially inquired about both Jones and Kenneth Murray Jr., but it was clear Jones was the priority.
“We have a really good relationship,” Schneider said about Brinker. “We just had the lines of communication open and wanted to go for it. Jerome’s a great guy, but he was deciding between Tennessee and us in free agency, and so everything just kind of made sense.”
Jones quickly replaced Tyrel Dodson as the Seahawks’ defensive signal-caller, providing poise and leadership. His standout moments include a key interception in Seattle’s Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals, making up for a missed opportunity earlier in the season against the Rams.
A Mature Leader
At just 25 years old, Jones has impressed head coach Mike Macdonald with his maturity. Married with a newborn son, Jones’ calm demeanor and work ethic have made him a natural leader.
“He’s only 25, but it feels like he’s been around forever,” Macdonald said. “It’s mind-blowing.”
Macdonald likened Jones’ impact to Roquan Smith’s in 2022, when a midseason trade helped the Ravens revitalize their defense. While Baltimore locked up Smith with a long-term deal, Seattle faces a more uncertain future with Jones.
A Key Offseason Decision
Jones is set to become a free agent in March, making his contract a top priority for the Seahawks. Unlike key players such as Geno Smith, DK Metcalf, and Charles Cross — all under contract through 2025 — Jones’ situation requires immediate attention.
“Coaches like me here, I love it here, I would love to be here,” Jones said. “But as far as extension or free agency, I’m kind of just letting my agent handle it, letting the organization handle it, and hopefully we can get something done so I can be around.”
The Seahawks’ season will end Sunday against the Rams, the team that originally drafted Jones. While Seattle is out of playoff contention, Jones has been a bright spot, and his future with the team could set the tone for a pivotal offseason.
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This report used information from ESPN.
