AJ Barner

Pre-Snap Reads 7/15: Who are the most important Seahawks players?

We, as Seattle Seahawks fans, are lucky. Multiple dynamic, singularly talented athletes reside on our roster, and each one makes such an impact as the question arises: who is the most crucial among them? The best part, there is hardly a wrong answer. Dive into the links and debate with your friends and enemies. Thanks for being here. Go, ‘Hawks! #np TOUCH by Sparklmami & Les Sons Du Cosmos A Leonard Williams Contract Idea That Works for Both Sides – Seaside Joe Seahawks should borrow plan from Rams to keep Williams happy and in Seattle Khosla-led group seen as good match for Seahawks’ ‘culture’ – Seattle Sports Seattle ’s GM and head coach were part of the ownership “interviewing” process, NFL Network’s Steve Wyche said. Top 2026 Training Camp Storylines: Is AJ Barner On His Way To Becoming ‘One Of The Best Tight Ends In The League’? – Seahawks.com After a strong 2025 season, AJ Barner is expecting even bigger things this year as part of a position group that should be a strength for the Seahawks. Dominant Seahawks’ Front Line Ready to Take Disruptive Nature to Another Level for ‘Dark Side’ Defense – Emerald City Spectrum Adequately coining themselves as the “Dark Side” defense during the midst of a historic 2025 season, the Seattle Seahawks deployed Death Star-worthy weapons of mass destruction from all three levels of coach Mike Macdonald’s unit on the way to a Super Bowl LX victory. Video: Talking Seahawks ownership & more on Puck Sports – Seahawks Draft Blog Seahawks New Owners and Not Worried About Aaron Donald Top 25 Seattle Seahawks Going into 2026 NFL Season: #17 Grey Zabel – si.com Grey Zabel was impressive in his rookie season, but he could be even better this upcoming season with a new offensive coordinator and more experience. Who are the Khoslas? Meet the family set to buy the Seattle Seahawks – ESPN.com The family of one of Silicon Valley’s most well-known venture capitalists is lined up to join the ranks of NFL owners. My Seahawks Top 10 Most Important Players REVEALED – LIVE!! – Seahawks Forever w/ Dan Viens Who are the 10 most important Seattle Seahawks heading into the 2026 NFL season—and which player deserves the No. 1 spot? Cardinals can get creative with Brissett’s contract – Revenge of the Birds The Arizona Cardinals have a quarterback problem going into this year’s training camp. Who is the best player under 25 for the 49ers? – Niners Nation What would your choice be? What could trip up Sean McVay’s Rams offense? – Turf Show Times Is this what stops the Rams from reaching the Super Bowl? Warren Sharp thinks so

Pre-Snap Reads 6/26: Sam Darnold unsatisfied with SB LX performance

In Today”s Links: Seaside Joe takes a look back at last season’s championship trajectory, OC Brian Fleury and the league’s other new coordinators, Bryce and Mookie debate which historic Seattle Seahawks defense is better, and a bit more! Happy Friday. TGIF, a I right? Have a great weekend. Thanks for being here. Go, ‘Hawks! #np Belong To You by Sabrina Claudio Seahawks establish pattern of dominance in wins over Saints, Cardinals – Seaside Joe How the Seahawks got to 3-1, but nearly fumbled their lead in Arizona Is Sam Darnold worth $55M per year? Wyman & Bob’s take – Seattle Sports ESPN’s Bill Barwell suggested Darnold’s next deal could cost $55M per year. Wyman and Bob discuss whether he’s worth that price tag. Seahawks TE AJ Barner Aiming to Turn ‘Obsession’ Into All-Pro Trajectory – Emerald City Spectrum Nothing elevates an NFL player’s profile more than winning a Super Bowl, the most prestigious sporting event in the world. Super Bowl LX Performance Still Doesn’t Sit Well with Seahawks’ QB Sam Darnold – si.com The veteran quarterback made his fifth stop in the NFL memorable. But Seattle ’s Sam Darnold doesn’t appear satisfied with his play in February’s Super Bowl win. Questions about 10 new NFL coordinators entering 2026 season – ESPN.com There are 64 offensive and defensive coordinator positions in the NFL. More than half of them have turned over this season. LOB vs. DARK SIDE: Which Seahawks Defense Was Better? With Mookie Alexander – The Hawks Eye w/ Bryce Coutts Two Super Bowl champions. Two legendary defenses. One unforgettable debate. Did Cardinals RB Trey Benson have an injury setback? – Revenge of the Birds The Arizona Cardinals were a mess this past season concerning the running back room. Both starter James Conner and his primary backup, Trey Benson, became injured early in the season. Why Osa Odighizuwa will lead the 49ers in sacks in 2026 – Niners Nation The former Dallas Cowboy is in for a huge season. Depth remains a concern for the Rams offensive line – Turf Show Times Experts project the unit to be Top 5

FA: AJ Barner dropped

Drops: AJ Barner

Seahawks Reacts Survey: Which Seahawks not named JSN will have the most catches?

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Seahawks fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys. The Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl run was fueled not just by the NFL’s best defense, but by a passing offense led by the Offensive Player of the Year: Jaxon Smith-Njigba . Despite playing in a low-volume pass attack, JSN still put up absurd stats: 119 catches for a league-leading 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns. Does anyone know who was second on the team in receptions? A.J. Barner. Yes, Barner had 52 catches in the regular season, five more than Cooper Kupp . While the latter had more receiving yards, Barner was second in receptions and receiving touchdowns. Not bad for someone billed as a blocking tight end. For this week’s Seahawks Reacts survey, we’re exempting JSN from the question of who will lead the team in catches. If JSN isn’t the leader in catches then either someone had a breakout season (good) or something went horribly wrong with JSN (bad). Essentially, we’re asking who comes in second place. Will it be a Cooper Kupp renaissance? Will it be Barner again? What about Rashid Shaheed in his first full season in Seattle? How about a healthy Tory Horton ? There’s Elijah Arroyo in his second year, there’s Jake Bobo just because he’s Jake Bobo, and there’s “someone else” I’ve not mentioned. Vote in the survey below! Check back at the end of the week for the full results!

Pre-Snap Reads 6/15: Seahawks entering their Barner Era

In Today’s Links: the Seattle Seahawks salary cap and why they may not cut anyone of significance this offseason, Leo Williams is prepared to run it back, Nick Emmanwori love, more minicamp takeaways, and other stuff! Happy Monday. Say “hi” to the Garfield in you for me. Thanks for being here. Go, ‘Hawks! #np Celia Inside by The Cardigans Could Seahawks go entire year without cutting any veterans? – Seaside Joe Seahawks have $180 million more to spend than the team with the most dead money and could afford to bring back every key veteran Why analyst says AJ Barner is Seahawks’ X-factor in ’26 – Seattle Sports Former NFL WR Bryan Walters believes new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury can raise the Seattle TE’s game to “the next level.” Leonard Williams, Seahawks Ready to Take ‘Darkside’ Defense to New Heights in 2026 – Emerald City Spectrum Mere hours away from school being out for the summer, at least in NFL terms, the Seattle Seahawks could have gone through the motions riding out their final minicamp practice before six weeks off. Noah Igbinoghene Pushing for Key Spot in Seahawks Secondary – si.com The Seattle Seahawks might have another underrated veteran signing this offseason in cornerback Noah Igbinoghene. Nick Emmanwori, Colston Loveland among NFL’s 10 most versatile players – The Athletic The multiple tight end sets craze is going to reach a fever pitch next season. Will defensive coordinators be willing to put that extra linebacker in to match up with extra tight ends, or will they be OK playing their sub personnel (five or more defensive backs) against multiple tight ends? Seahawks Playbook Podcast Episode 758: Seahawks OTA & Mini Camp Wrap-Up – Seahawks Playbook Podcast Seahawks fans, thanks for joining Bill Alvstad and Keith Myers as we discuss observations from all the recent OTA and Mini-Camp practices. Former Cardinal named “Coach of the Year” – Revenge of the Birds Great season for Orlando head coach Anthony Becht Could the 49ers see a shakeup at safety this offseason? – Niners Nation The 49ers could look for a competition at safety in training camp. The Rams offense was unlucky in 2025 – Turf Show Times A few different stats indicate the Rams caught more bad breaks than average last season

Bengals News (6/9): Cincinnati named Super Bowl sleeper

Matt Verderame’s Early Super Bowl LXI Sleepers for 2026 “If the defense can gel with its infusion of talent and Burrow can maintain an upright posture, the Bengals are a threat to win the AFC North and more.” Why Ja’Marr Chase Never Misses A Beat: ‘It’s Part Of His Lifestyle’ Chase is always ready to go. Orlando Brown Jr.’s honest admission makes it no wonder why the Bengals were eager to help him out Truly, it worked out well for both sides. Bengals players give back to community in another great way The Bengals are once again active in the local ciommunity. Bengals Star Taps Fellow Teammate to Become ‘Most Dynamic RT in the League’ From one of the most trusted voices in the locker room. Chiefs signing veteran CB L’Jarius Sneed Back to Kansas City after struggling in Tennessee . Brandon Aiyuk appears to imply 49ers ‘scared’ to release him This is only going to get messier. Jacoby Brissett to report to Cardinals mandatory minicamp amid contract dispute It isn’t settled, but Brissett is avoiding fines. Insider shares interesting update on Buccaneers, Baker Mayfield contract situation It seems Mayfield has a deadline in mind. Seahawks’ AJ Barner expects ‘to be one of best tight ends in league’ after Super Bowl season Barner is healthy and has his eyes on the upper echelon of tight ends

Seahawks TE AJ Barner expects to be ready for camp after two offseason surgeries

Seahawks tight end AJ Barner went from celebrating a Super Bowl win to the operating room to kick off his offseason. Barner did not miss a game in 2025 and caught a touchdown in the Super Bowl, but was listed with hip, elbow, shoulder, knee, ankle and calf injuries at various points during Seattle’s run to the title. He didn’t specify which injuries led to the two surgeries he had earlier this year and said last week that he thinks all should be well in time for the start of training camp this summer. “I’m going to feel much better, and I’m already feeling much better , and I think that’s where I’ll see strides,” Barner said, via the team’s website. “I’m feeling good, and I’m chomping at the bit trying to get back out there.” Barner caught 52 passes during the regular season after posting 30 catches as a rookie and said that he expects “to be one of the best tight ends in the league” in his third NFL campaign. Full health will help that bid and it will help the Seahawks’ chances at another memorable season

Seahawks TE AJ Barner expects to be ready for camp after two offseason surgeries

Seahawks tight end AJ Barner, who played through multiple injuries in 2025 and caught a touchdown in the Super Bowl, underwent two offseason surgeries. He expects to be fully recovered and ready for training camp, aiming to become one of the league's best tight ends

Pre-Snap Reads 6/8: Intensity high at Seahawks OTAs

In Today’s Links: AJ Barner wants to be great, further reflections on the career of Mr. Unlimited, Jamie Sheriff aiming to earn more snaps, a look at the Seattle Seahawks’ depth, and a little bit more. Happy Monday! Hope that it’s going well so far. Thanks for being here. Go, ‘Hawks! #np I Walked with a Bugs Bunny Bendy Toy by Melotones What are the Cardinals: Whales or Weasels? – Seaside Joe The Seahawks play the Cardinals in Week 2, so what should fans expect from Arizona this year? ‘No drop-off’: Intensity stood out to Wyman at Seahawks OTAs – Seattle Sports Dave Wyman didn’t see any signs of a Super Bowl hangover during Seattle ’s OTA practices. Seahawks’ AJ Barner ready to show what he can do now that he’s healthy – The Seattle Times Seahawks tight end AJ Barner had two surgeries after the Super Bowl as he dealt with several injuries. He’s ready to show what he can do now that he’s healthy. Video: Reflecting on Russell Wilson’s Seahawks career – Seahawks Draft Blog Reflecting on Russell Wilson’s Seahawks career Will The Third Time Be The Charm For Jamie Sheriff? – si.com After two NFL seasons that featured not a lot of time on the field, Jamie Sheriff will get an opportunity to impact the EDGE room in Seattle. The Most Important Non-Stars to Help the 2026 Seahawks Run it Forward – Sea Hawkers Podcast In a game of inches, our 2025 Seahawks were simply more complete than any other team in the NFL. And as our rival Rams push in all the chips for one more run with Stafford , we think these non-star Seahawks are positioned for a VERY important 2026 as we look to Run it Forward!!! An offensive weapon the Cardinals should consider trading – Revenge of the Birds This year’s offense is running back-heavy The Brandon Aiyuk saga has a new chapter—one involving a hat – Niners Nation Not quite Mr. Big Chest territory, but surreal nonetheless. Has Davante Adams hit ‘the wall’? – Turf Show Times Is Adams’ drop in production due to age or scheme?

Pre-Snap Reads 6/5: Jarran Reed thinks Seahawks deserve more respect

Jarran Reed believes the Seahawks are not receiving enough respect heading into the new season, while Cooper Kupp acknowledges there is still room for growth in his second year with the team. AJ Barner is also feeling positive after offseason surgeries and is aiming for a strong 2026

AJ Barner - Expected to be ready for camp

Barner (undisclosed) is expected to be ready for training camp, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports. The team has been vague on what Barner underwent his pair of surgeries for, but the tight end dealt with hip, elbow, shoulder, knee, ankle and calf injuries in the latter half of last season and into the playoffs. Despite the nagging injuries, Barner started all 17 regular-season games, producing a 52-519-6 receiving line on 68 targets. He added another six catches for 67 yards and one touchdown across three playoff contests

AJ Barner Expected to be Ready for Training Camp

AJ Barner expected to be ready for training camp after offseason surgeries

Why the Seahawks took a chance on Lance Mason despite a crowded tight end room

After the NFL Draft concluded, the Seattle Seahawks had very little room left to add undrafted free agents. Even so, the Seahawks chose to bring in tight end Lance Mason. At first glance, that decision seems difficult to justify. Seattle’s tight end room is already crowded. AJ Barner emerged as a legitimate contributor following a strong second season. Elijah Arroyo remains one of the organization’s most significant recent investments at the position. Eric Saubert received a somewhat surprising extension during the middle of last year , while Harrison Bryant , Nick Kallerup , and even Brady Russell continue fighting for specialized roles throughout the roster. On paper, there simply doesn’t appear to be much room available. Then again, that’s true for most undrafted free agents who ultimately make NFL rosters. They enter crowded rooms by definition. And Seattle, perhaps more than most organizations, has built a long history of finding contributors where other teams saw camp bodies. Growing up in Rockwall, Texas, he spent much of his high school career playing on both sides of the ball at Rockwall-Heath High School, lining up as both a linebacker and a tight end. He never developed the prototypical frame of a dominant inline tight end, but he did carry over many of the traits associated with defensive football: physicality, spatial awareness, and a natural comfort operating near traffic. Despite that versatility, he barely registered on the recruiting landscape. Mason finished high school as an unranked prospect in the 2022 recruiting cycle and ultimately landed at Missouri State in the FCS. His first two seasons were relatively quiet from a production standpoint. He functioned primarily as a complementary piece within the offense, rotating snaps and serving as a security blanket in underneath situations. The breakthrough came in 2024. With a larger role in the Bears’ offense, Mason posted 34 receptions, 590 yards, and six touchdowns, emerging as one of the more productive tight ends in the conference. That season opened the door to a much bigger opportunity. In 2025, he transferred to Wisconsin. Many FCS tight ends produce because they overwhelm inferior competition physically. Mason’s transition is notable because he did the opposite. He jumped up a level and remained productive despite playing within an offense that struggled to consistently generate explosive plays through the air. Leading Wisconsin in receiving yards with 398 may not immediately jump off the stat sheet, but context matters. The Badgers’ passing game was inconsistent throughout much of the season. Protection issues, limited vertical efficiency, and an overall lack of explosiveness frequently constrained the offense. Yet Mason kept finding ways to contribute. And that’s one of the more interesting aspects of his NFL projection. The tape consistently shows a player capable of remaining useful regardless of the offensive environment around him. The Seahawks aren’t building a tight end room based solely on athletic mismatches. There is a clear preference for players who can align in multiple locations, execute a variety of assignments, and help preserve offensive flexibility without telegraphing tendencies. Mason checks several of those boxes. The first thing that stands out on film is his understanding of spacing against zone coverage. Many college tight ends simply run through zones at a constant speed, making life easier for linebackers and safeties. Mason operates differently. He shows a natural feel for changing tempo within routes, subtly throttling down without disrupting timing with the quarterback. Small head fakes, slight variations in pace, and an understanding of defensive leverage allow him to settle into voids rather than carry defenders directly into throwing windows. On stick concepts, spacing routes, and shallow sits, he consistently presents clean targets. Several of his most important receptions at Wisconsin came from his [... truncated ...]

AJ Barner Undergoes Offseason Procedures, Not Taking Part in OTAs

AJ Barner is recovering from undisclosed offseason procedures and will not participate in OTAs

AJ Barner - Sidelined at OTAs

Barner (undisclosed) is not participating in OTAs on Wednesday while recovering from what Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald alluded to as offseason procedures, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times reports. Barner played through shoulder and ankle injuries last season, but he nonetheless suited up for all 17 regular-season games while totaling a 52-519-6 line on 68 targets. The 2024 fourth-rounder also operated as the TE1 for all three of the Seahawks' postseason games. Macdonald said Barner will "probably" be available for training camp and is "itching to get out there." With Barner sidelined for OTAs, however, 2025 second-round pick Elijah Arroyo has reportedly impressed and begun taking a step forward in his development. While Barner remains No. 1 tight end for Seattle's offense entering the 2026 campaign, it's possible Arroyo will earn an increased target share in Year 2

AJ Barner Enters 2026 as a Dynasty Sell-High Candidate

AJ Barner's fantasy value may have peaked in 2025

Will Elijah Arroyo Continue to Have Trouble Getting on the Field?

Seattle Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo remains the No. 2 option on the depth chart, which could be good news or bad news. It's encouraging in the sense that the Seahawks didn't draft a rookie tight end, because that could have bumped Arroyo down to the third spot. On the other hand, even as the league shifts to more 12 personnel packages, the Seahawks may continue to use just one tight end (A.J. Barner). Seattle's new offensive coordinator, Brian Fleury, was the tight ends coach with the 49ers last year. In 2025, the 49ers ran 12 personnel on just 11.46% of their plays. That ranked seventh-lowest in the NFL, and it was approximately half the league average rate. If Fleury, despite his background coaching tight end, carries that same philosophy from San Francisco to Seattle, Arroyo could have trouble earning consistent playing time when Barner is healthy. He ranks as the TE28 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty rankings, but it's hard to envision him being a reliable fantasy option as early as 2026

AJ Barner a Prime Regression Candidate Entering 2026

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner emerged as a red zone weapon in 2025, recording 52 receptions for 519 yards and six touchdowns on 68 targets across 17 games. Seattle also used the 24-year-old as its "tush push" quarterback, which allowed Barner to pick up an extra touchdown as a rusher. All told, Barner finished as the TE14 in half-PPR fantasy scoring. However, despite the solid year, Barner may profile as a sell-high candidate in dynasty leagues heading into 2026. For one, he remained a low-volume receiver in 2025, averaging just four targets per game. Additionally, the Seahawks could expand the role of 2025 second-round tight end Elijah Arroyo, who likely offers a higher upside as a pass-catcher than Barner. Barner's rushing usage gives him some additional fantasy upside, but he's likely too reliant on touchdowns to be counted on as a reliable producer at the tight end position going forward

Trade: AJ Barner, Tetairoa McMillan, DJ Moore +3 more

AJ Barner a Mispriced Dynasty Asset

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner finished 2025 as the TE14 in half-PPR formats and has yet to turn 24. Still, he is being priced as a low-end TE2 in dynasty startups, often falling to the late double-digit rounds. The 2024 fourth-round pick finished his second season with 58 catches on 71 targets, 586 receiving yards, and seven touchdown grabs, all top-three numbers on a Super Bowl-winning Seahawks team. He was also given valuable snaps under center in short-yardage and goal-line situations, allowing him to tally an additional rushing touchdown. Seattle spent a 2025 second-round pick on the playmaking tight end Elijah Arroyo, but Barner was able to hold off any perceived target competition, nearly tripling the rookie in both offensive snaps and targets. While Arroyo is himself a candidate to follow Barner's lead with a second-season leap, Barner should still be viewed as the team's primary pass-catching tight end, representing mispriced value in dynasty leagues, even if he only holds the role rather than expanding upon it