In Pursuit of Encore, Seahawks LB Ernest Jones Knows Super Bowl Title ‘Isn't Going to Help Us’ in 2026
You can pinpoint a handful of impact moves that Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider made in the few years leading up to winning the Super Bowl that helped the team get there. Moves like hiring head coach Mike Macdonald are obvious. Trading for, and then re-signing defensive tackle Leonard Williams was a big part of it as well.
But it’s hard to argue against one of the biggest pieces of the puzzle coming in the form of the midseason trade for Ernest Jones IV in 2024. In Macdonald’s first season in Seattle, the linebacker position was a revolving door. The Seahawks began the season with Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson as their main off-ball linebackers. By November, Seattle had wavied Dodson and traded Baker away.
Seattle moved on from both, with Baker being sent with a 2025 fourth-round pick to the Tennessee Titans to acquire Jones. Seattle was very familiar with Jones from his three seasons with the Rams. During his rookie year, he played on the 2021 Rams team that eventually won Super Bowl LVI. He was not a spectator on the sidelines for that game either, racking up seven tackles, one sack, and three quarterback hits.
As we all saw during the Seahawks’ Super Bowl ring ceremony, Jones was flexing both rings on the same hand. He now has two championships to his name in his five-year career. His arrival in 2024 helped stabilize the linebacker position and contributed to a noticeable defensive turnaround midseason for Seattle. The unit improved from near the bottom of NFL rankings to one of the stronger groups by season’s end, laying groundwork for the success they would have in 2025.
Three-Year Outlook: Seahawks Face a Few Pressing Questions on Defense Beyond 2026
As the calendar flips to April and the 2026 NFL Draft rapidly approaches, the Seattle Seahawks find themselves in the heat of the offseason, continuing to look into ways to improve their roster scanning the free agent market along with wrapping up draft evaluations while also exploring extensions to retain several of their top players.
While building the best roster for the upcoming season remains the top goal with eyes on defending their Super Bowl title, Seahawks general manager John Schneider also has to be cognizant of the future, making every decision in regard to free agency, extensions, and the draft with a multi-year window in mind.
Now less than a month away from the draft, how does Seattle’s defense look for both the present and the future?
Top 12 Moments From Seahawks’ Super Bowl-Winning 2025 Season
The Seattle Seahawks are Super Bowl LX champions! Yes, keep saying that to yourself. Anytime you are feeling down, sad, anxious, or just plain bored, look at that photo of Mike Macdonald and Sam Darnold staring into the reflection of the Lombardi Trophy and feel all your troubles melt away.
As is the nature of the NFL, it rolls on like a fierce locomotive, not caring whether or not you want to pause a moment to smell the roses (or the yellow Gatorade). Free agency is less than a month away. The NFL Combine is even sooner. The NFL Draft is just over two months away.
One last time, let’s look back, instead of forward. These are 12 top moments of the 2025 season, that happened before the Seahawks lifted the Lombardi Trophy in Santa Clara.
‘We Ain’t Going Nowhere’: Seahawks Already Planting Seeds in Quest for Super Bowl Repeat
Less than 72 hours after navy and action green confetti fluttered to the turf at Levis Stadium following a 29-13 demolition of the New England Patriots, while the Seattle Seahawks celebrated their second Super Bowl title with a frenzied fan base both at Lumen Field and during a parade in downtown on Wednesday, they already have their sights set on doing it again next season.
Wearing a t-shirt depicting teammate Sam Darnold smoking a cigar and once again singing effusive, explicit praise about Seattle’s quarterback from the podium with a sparkling Lombardi Trophy in hand, Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones made sure to remind fans and the rest of the league that the team “ain’t going nowhere.”
"Not only do we have the best defense in the world, we've got the best team in the world," Jones said, “And quite frankly, if you've got anything to say about my quarterback, if you've got anything to say about my defense, if you've got anything to say about our O-line, if you've got anything to say about the city of Seattle, I've got two words for you: F--- you.”
Analysis: 7 Burning Questions to Determine if Seahawks Will Win or Lose Super Bowl LX
After nearly two weeks of relentless coverage and chatter that has left fans on both sides experiencing a bad case of cabin fever, the Seattle Seahawks will finally hit the field with a chance to avenge a previous Super Bowl loss to the New England Patriots as the two teams meet at Levis Stadium in Sunday’s big game.
With both teams boasting top-three scoring offenses and physical, well-coached defenses, Sunday has all of the ingredients for a back-and-forth brawl on the biggest stage in professional sports. To earn their second Lombardi, the Seahawks will have to hope for the right answers to seven burning questions.
‘The Time is Now’: How Nick Emmanwori’s Versatility, Rapid Growth Powered Seahawks’ Super Bowl Run
Out of all the traits that an NFL player can bring to the table in terms of value, for superstars, starters, reserves, and journeymen alike, versatility may be the crown jewel.
While the Seahawks have their share of players on the roster who can play multiple positions or at least move around to different spots along the offensive or defensive line, rookie safety Nick Emmanwori has made the term versatile obsolete. Starring in coach Mike Macdonald’s defense, he has played a vital role in the franchise advancing to Super Bowl LX as a true jack of all trades.
Five Distinct Advantages the Seahawks Have in Super Bowl LX
The Seahawks have one more game remaining, the much-awaited rematch against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX. Nothing is certain until the downs are played, but what are the Hawks’ key advantages going into the Big Game?
Analysis: Patriots’ Offense Presents Myriad of Challenges for Seahawks in Super Bowl LX
Led by a rising superstar under center, the Patriots are far from a one-man show on offense, including possessing an exciting running back tandem. What concerns do they present for Mike Macdonald and the Seahawks’ defense rolling into Super Bowl LX?
Rising to Moment, Nick Emmanwori Delivers ‘Helluva Plays’ as Seahawks Clinch Super Bowl Berth
Throughout his rookie season, Nick Emmanwori has been a game changer for an already loaded Seahawks defense. But taking advice from a beloved teammate to heart, he elevated his game to another level under the brightest lights to lift his team to the Super Bowl.
‘Everything I Said, Stood On It’: Ernest Jones Sets Leadership Standard for Super Bowl-Bound Seahawks
Back in Week 11, Ernest Jones wasn’t shy coming to defense of his quarterback after a tough loss to the Rams. Fast forward to an NFC title-clinching victory at Lumen Field against the same foe, those words resonated in the locker room and set a clear leadership standard.
Marquee Matchups to Watch as Seahawks, Rams Duel in NFC Championship Game
Familiar foes will tangle once again at Lumen Field as the Seahawks and Rams vie for a Super Bowl berth. Which matchups hold the weight in a massive NFC West rubber match?
Ranking Top 10 Moves Made by John Schneider to Fuel Seahawks Return to Title Contention
Through free agency, trades, the draft, and other bold moves, John Schneider rebuilt the Seahawks into a Super Bowl contender for the second time in his illustrious career, making him a slam dunk choice for Executive of the Year. Which moves stand out as his best?
More Than a Sidekick: Drake Thomas Becoming Essential to Seahawks’ Defense
All-Pro linebacker Ernest Jones draws the vast majority of the attention in the middle of the Seahawks’ defense, and that recognition is much deserved. But his sidekick should be drawing equal acclaim as a lynchpin for Mike Macdonald’s No. 1 unit.
Closing Thoughts: Seahawks Make Emphatic Statement in 41-6 Annihilation of 49ers
On a crisp January evening at Lumen Field, the Seahawks rewarded the 12s for waiting nine years to see them in a home playoff game with a complete beatdown of the 49ers in all phases, clinching a spot in the NFC Championship Game. What stood out in a 35-point thumping?
Ernest Jones IV’s Big Plays, Leadership Take Seahawks to NFC Championship Game
Seattle Seahawks Ernest Jones IV, cast off by the Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans, played a vital role in Seattle 41-6 win over San Francisco in the NFC Divisional Playoffs. What has Jones meant to the Seahawks’ dominant defense?
‘We’re Relentless’: Deadline Brilliance Fuels Seahawks’ Beatdown of 49ers, Return to Contention
Tying a team record with a 35-point rout of the 49ers, the Seahawks sent a message to the rest of the NFL with an exclamation point, clinching a spot in the NFC Championship Game behind starring performances from three previous trade deadline acquisitions.
Rapid Reaction: Seahawks Maul 49ers in 41-6 Thumping, Advance to NFC Championship Game
Hitting the 49ers like a January tsunami at Lumen Field, the Seahawks turned in their best effort of the Mike Macdonald era in all three phases, leaving their NFC West rivals licking their wounds as they celebrated punching a ticket to the NFC Championship Game for the first time in a decade.
Halftime Observations: Rashid Shaheed, Seahawks Sprint Out to 24-6 Lead vs. 49ers in Divisional Round
Going up seven behind Rashid Shaheed’s explosive speed less than 15 seconds into the game, the Seahawks raced out to a 17-point advantage over the 49ers as they draw closer to their first NFC Championship Game berth in a decade.
Burning Questions: What to Watch as Seahawks Host 49ers in Divisional Round
Facing off for the second time in just 14 days, the Seahawks and 49ers will embark in a unique playoff chess match with a trip to the NFC Championship Game on the line. Which key questions will dictate which rival moves one win closer to the Super Bowl?
‘Job is Not Done’: Seahawks’ Vets Preaching Same Approach for Youthful Squad Entering Playoffs
One of the youngest teams in the NFL, the Seahawks’ youth could be viewed as a potential concern going into a win or go home Divisional Round rematch against the 49ers. But a strong core of veterans doesn’t envision that being a problem at an energized Lumen Field.
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