Seattle Seahawks LB Jones feels 'explosive' after surgery

After arriving in a midseason trade last October, linebacker Ernest Jones IV took over as the Seattle Seahawks’ defensive signal caller and played a major role in the defense’s second-half turnaround.

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Prior to the trade, Seattle’s defense ranked 19th in points allowed per game and 28th in rushing yards allowed per game. But shortly after Jones entered the fold, the unit took off. Over the final 10 weeks of the season, the Seahawks ranked fifth in points allowed per game and seventh in rushing yards allowed per game.

At one point, Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald called Jones a “force multiplier” for the way he was elevating those around him.

And here’s the kicker: Jones did all that despite playing through a nagging knee issue.

Jones, who underwent cleanup knee surgery this offseason, acknowledged that he wasn’t 100% last year during a conversation with Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob on Wednesday.

“It was every day for the past two years I’ve been dealing with that torn meniscus in that knee,” Jones said. “Never really got it cleaned out. … The knee was definitely bothering me, hindering me. There were some games where I couldn’t play my best. But now I’m excited about what Ernest Jones looks like (when) feeling good.”

The Seahawks are easing Jones back into action at training camp, but the 25-year-old said he already feels a big difference in his knee after the cleanup procedure.

“I feel a lot more explosive,” Jones added. “I can tell that I’m not trying to baby the knee. I’m actually putting it in the ground and going, so I’m excited. They’re phasing me back into things, … but I’m feeling good.”

A newfound stability

Jones’ knee isn’t the only reason he’s feeling more comfortable these days.

The 6-foot-2, 230-pound linebacker also has a newfound sense of stability after a whirlwind 2024 that saw him traded twice in the span of two months. He was dealt from the Los Angeles Rams to the Tennessee Titans on Aug. 27, and then traded again from the Titans to the Seahawks on Oct. 23.

Jones doesn’t have to worry about changing teams again this season. He signed a three-year contract, $33 million contract with Seattle in March and figures to remain a key part of the Seahawks’ defense for the foreseeable future.

Jones also has the benefit of going through training camp with Seattle this year – instead of joining the team midway through the season and taking over a starting role just days later.

“My heart’s a little bit at ease,” Jones said. “I kind of can take my time getting everything that I need to get done. … I’m excited about this year actually being here during training camp. Learning with these guys I think is going to be real helpful for us.”

The first pick as a Seahawk for @ernestjones53. #ProBowlVote + @ernestjones53 #ProBowlVote + @ernestjones53 #ProBowlVote + @ernestjones53 pic.twitter.com/uK6W9aPOil

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) December 10, 2024

And with nearly every key contributor returning from Seattle’s 2024 year-end defense, Jones is excited about the group’s potential.

“It’s a hard task for you to pick up where you left off, especially where we left off being one of the top defenses in the league,” Jones said. “But I think what’s different about this group is that’s the challenge for us.

“We know that we have the pieces in there. If we go out and perform to our ability, we know we can be the best defense in the league. And I think that’s what we’re going out here to try to work on each and every day.”

Listen to the full Wyman and Bob conversation with Ernest Jones IV at this link or in the audio player near the middle of this story. Tune in to Wyman and Bob weekdays from 2 to 7 p.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.

Seattle Seahawks LB Jones feels ‘explosive’ after surgery

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