Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones has been an interesting name to watch over his time in the NFL. Playing for three teams over the course of his four-year rookie contract, the 25-year-old has developed into a tackling machine. With free agency on the horizon, the Seahawks have been working to re-sign Jones and keep him in Seattle long-term. A recent surgery may put a speed bump in their plans, though. 
Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times was the first to report that Jones underwent surgery shortly after the regular season. Per Condotta, the procedure on Jones’ knee was performed to clean up an injury issue that Jones had been dealing with throughout the 2024 season. The surgery is not being portrayed as serious as Jones is expected “to return to football activity as soon as June, if not earlier.” Still, Condotta suggests that, should Jones reach free agency, interested teams may feel the need to put him through a physical before finalizing a deal.
Ira Turner, Jones’ agent, took to X to confirm the news of Jones’ surgery and to attempt to spin it in a more positive light. He insisted that the surgery is, in fact, not “a bad thing” but instead “the best thing to happen to Ernest since the trade to Seattle.” Turner emphasizes that “the doctors fixed a knee issue (Jones has) had for more than a year” and that “he’ll be healthy going forward.”
With big new deals expected for free agents like Nick Bolton and Zack Baun (Baun today signed a three-year, $51MM contract), Jones was expected to find a spot in the market as a top linebacker just behind the most expensive options. There’s been plenty of talk that a discount might be available to his current team as he immediately meshed with his teammates and coaches in Seattle upon being traded there midseason. The two sides were discussing a new contract, but discussions paused in early-January, and perhaps this was the reason why.
The surgery may cost Jones a bit of value in free agency, but he is still one of the most promising, young linebackers to potentially become available this offseason. He should still draw plenty of interest should he reach free agency next week. The team that knows him and his injury history best, though, may be the team that inks him to a new contract when all is said and done.