The Seahawks paused extension talks with Ernest Jones at the end of the regular season, but they’re still looking to re-sign the 25-year-old linebacker for 2025 and beyond.
“Obviously we want Ernest back,” said general manager John Schneider (via Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic). “Some guys, at some point you can get too close to the end of the season where they want to see what free agency looks like. So, now they can go out and see what their market is, and understandably so.”
Schneider’s comments indicate that Jones is intent on testing a linebacker market that also features Nick Bolton and Zack Baun, both of whom played key roles in their teams’ respective runs to the Super Bowl. If their demands skyrocket due to their postseason pedigree, Jones would likely be a less expensive option while still earning a top-10 linebacker contract.
However, after a tumultuous 2024, Jones may prefer to stay in Seattle where he knows he is wanted. He was traded twice last year: first from the Rams to the Titans in August, then to the Seahawks at the trade deadline. In Seattle, Jones “immediately meshed with teammates and coaches and was an obvious part of the team’s defensive turnaround,” per Dugar. He took over wearing the green dot and calling plays for the defense, demonstrating his long-term potential in Mike Macdonald‘s scheme.
Most signs indicate that both sides would benefit from continuing their partnership, but, as usual, the decision will come down to the dollars and cents.
Current projections from Dugar and Pro Football Focus (subscription required) estimate that Jones will receive a three-year contract with an APY around $12MM. That would make him the seventh-highest-paid linebacker in the NFL, though contracts for Bolton and Baun could certainly push Jones down to ninth. That’s still solid value for a former third-round pick who was traded twice in his contract year. If another team comes in with a bigger offer – perhaps similar to Patrick Queen‘s three-year, $41MM contract – Jones may opt to chase the money and roll the dice on playing for his fourth different team in the last calendar year.
I’m a Hawks fan who at present would love the team to give EJ a Contract. I could see how it would be easy to think EJ3 is less likely to sign with SEA after reading this content. When in reality his contract situation hasn’t changed in the past 10 mins, only my perception of it! Now…..gettir dunn John, sign that man for 3y so he can at the very least, afford to get a better haircut!