AJ Barner Emerging as Rising Star in Seahawks’ Offense

Before the season began, much was made about the moves the Seattle Seahawks dished out, parting ways with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett along with trading away Geno Smith. It was obvious that the passing game would look nearly unrecognizable in 2025, with Sam Darnold taking over at quarterback without the two veteran receivers.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba has turned into a bona fide No. 1 wide receiver. In a dual with fellow Ohio State star receiver Emeka Egbuka on Sunday against Tampa Bay, Smith-Njigba did his part. With nine targets, he hauled in eight catches for 132 yards and a touchdown. That puts him at 534 receiving yards, which leads the team and ranks second in the NFL.

However, the former first round pick does not lead the Seahawks in receiving touchdowns. That distinction goes to perhaps a new rising star in the passing game for Seattle.

Tight end AJ Barner burst onto the scene with an unexpected four touchdowns last year. That was the most touchdown catches in a season by a Seahawks tight end since Jimmy Graham. In five games so far this season, the Michigan product has already equaled that score total. With four touchdowns this year, he has double the amount of receiving scores as the Pro Bowler Smith-Njigba does.

Barner certainly doesn’t have the notoriety of fellow tight ends Travis Kelce, George Kittle, or fellow 2024 draft pick Brock Bowers. However, Pro Football Focus would have you know that he’s the current top-graded receiving tight end in football. His 79.2 receiving mark is the best among all qualified tight ends. Only Jacksonvile’s Brenton Strange has a higher overall grade than Barner’s 78.4. Barner’s four receiving scores is tied for the most among any tight end in the NFL, equaling Philadelphia’s Dallas Goedert.

Barner isn’t just your typical pass-catching tight end that doesn’t like getting dirty or blocking. He grades out well in both run blocking and pass protection, handling his other responsibilities with blue collar workmanship.

In short, through five games, Barner looks like the full package at tight end that the Seahawks have long been desiring. Once an unheralded fourth round pick, he already has been more productive than Noah Fant was in his last two seasons in Seattle.

His matchup with the Buccaneers on Sunday showed Barner’s full potential. He caught all seven targets for 53 yards and two touchdowns, with the second score coming after breaking a tackle attempt by Lavonte David. He and Darnold clearly have a solid connection, as the quarterback’s passer rating is 115.1 when targeting Barner.

In an offense that already has a superstar in Smith-Nijgba, don’t forget about Barner and his eight touchdowns through his first 22 games of his NFL career, as his talents both as a red zone weapon and capable blocker scream perennial Pro Bowl or even All-Pro upside.