After the season finale in early January, Seattle Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV was confident that he and the franchise would reach a deal to keep him in the Pacific Northwest.
On the eve of free agency, it became a reality.
Jones and the Seahawks have agreed to a three-year contract worth $33 million, according to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport on Sunday afternoon. The deal includes $15 million of guaranteed money, per Rapoport.
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Jones, a 2024 midseason trade acquisition who played a major role in Seattle’s dramatic defensive turnaround, was set to become an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday after playing out his rookie contract this past season. NFL.com had ranked Jones as the 27th-best potential free agent, including the fourth-best linebacker.
In signing the 25-year-old Jones, the Seahawks handled a pressing order of business ahead of Monday, when the free agency negotiating period begins.
“Really important for us,” Seahawks general manager John Schneider said on Feb. 26 at the NFL scouting combine when asked by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo about the importance of re-signing Jones. “He did a great job when he came in. He’s just got a natural leadership about him and a very instinctive football player.”
The Seahawks acquired Jones in an Oct. 23 trade that sent season-opening starting linebacker Jerome Baker and a 2025 fourth-round draft pick to the Tennessee Titans. It was part of a whirlwind stretch for Jones, who played his first three seasons for the Los Angeles Rams before being traded to Tennessee on Aug. 27.
It was also part of a midseason shakeup at Seattle’s two inside linebacker spots. Less than three weeks after acquiring Jones, the Seahawks released season-opening starter Tyrel Dodson and replaced him with rookie fourth-round pick Tyrice Knight.
The moves paid off big-time.
Jones made an immediate impact in Seattle, taking over as the team’s defensive signal caller and helping stabilize their struggling defense.
Through the first eight weeks of the season, Seattle ranked 19th in points allowed per game (24.4) and 29th in rushing yards allowed per game (148.4). But the unit hit its stride shortly after Jones entered the fold, ranking fifth in points allowed per game (19.2) and seventh in rushing yards allowed per game (96.2) over the final 10 weeks.
From Week 9 through Week 18, Jones ranked 18th out of 85 linebackers in Pro Football Focus‘ run defense grading and was tied for 19th among linebackers with 25 run stops.
When safety Julian Love was asked in November the biggest reason for Seattle’s massive improvement on run defense back, he immediately pointed to Jones.
“I think No. 13 is what’s working,” Love said, referring to Jones’ jersey number. “That dude’s a stud. We all really appreciate having him and he’s just such a good leader. 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.”
At one point later in the season, Macdonald called Jones a “force multiplier” for the way he elevates those around him.
Macdonald also reiterated his praise for Jones in the week leading up to the season finale.
“We love him,” Macdonald said. “He’s a great player and there’s a poise to how he operates, which I respect. I think the guy loves football. Those are the guys that do really well here. He would do great in a lot of organizations, probably every organization, but I think he’s a great fit here. We love him, and I think he loves it here too. It’s been great so far.”
The feeling certainly appears to be mutual.
“I’m looking forward to continuing to grow with this group, because I believe we have something special,” Jones told Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob back in January.
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