The Seahawks halted contract extension talks with Ernest Jones at the end of the regular season, but they still plan to re-sign the 25-year-old linebacker for the long term.
“Obviously, we want Ernest back,” said general manager John Schneider (via Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic). “At a certain point, some players want to see what free agency looks like. Now he can go out and explore his market, and that’s understandable.”
Schneider’s comments suggest that Jones is likely looking to test a linebacker market that also includes Nick Bolton and Zack Baun, both of whom were key contributors in their teams’ Super Bowl runs. If their postseason success drives up their market value, Jones could be a more affordable option while still securing a top-10 linebacker contract.
After a challenging 2024, Jones may choose to remain in Seattle, where he’s already valued. 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 “quickly fit in with teammates and coaches and became a crucial part of the team’s defensive resurgence,” according to Dugar. He took over play-calling duties, showing his potential within Mike Macdonald’s system.
It seems both parties would benefit from continuing their partnership, but the final decision will likely come down to financial terms.
Projections from Dugar and Pro Football Focus estimate that Jones will land a three-year deal with an average annual value around $12 million, making him the seventh-highest-paid linebacker in the NFL. However, the contracts of Bolton and Baun could push Jones down to ninth.
That’s still good value for a former third-round pick who was traded twice in his contract year. If another team offers a larger contract—possibly in the range of Patrick Queen’s three-year, $41 million deal—Jones may opt to pursue the higher payday and take a chance on playing for his fourth team in just one year.
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