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SEATTLE – One year after arriving in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams, linebacker Ernest Jones IV has​ become ​a pivotal force for the Seattle Seahawks‘ defense, transforming the unit with his playmaking ability and leadership.

the Seahawks acquired Jones on March 15, 2023, and his impact has‍ been immediate and significant. His ability to excel in both run and pass defense, coupled with his commanding presence, has elevated the performance⁢ of those around him and solidified his role as an anchor for the team. This acquisition addresses a ⁣critical need for a‌ versatile and ​impactful linebacker, and ‍his continued development is central to Seattle’s defensive aspirations.

“He’s playing some very high-level football‌ at the moment,” defensive coordinator ​Aden Durde said. “he’s controlling and running our defense,​ and that’s what we need.”

Jones ⁢credits his success to the support of his teammates and coaching staff.”D-line,‍ bunch of killers up front and then Coach Mike does a good job of putting me in ‌position to make plays.I credit it all to Mike and my D-line, man. They make it easy on me and I⁤ just go out there⁤ and have⁤ to go make the plays.”

Head coach mike Macdonald’s philosophy of designing plays to highlight player strengths has been ⁣instrumental in Jones’s flourishing.”Calling plays⁢ for players… ‍you’re trying to put people in position rather ⁣than get them out of the way,” Macdonald explained.

Jones has embraced the chance to showcase his all-around skillset. “That’s been the biggest thing for me. I think my first three years in the league, four ‍years‌ in the league, people always wanted ‌to classify me as just the ​run stopper, but I’m a ball player.You put‌ that ball anywhere, I’m going to​ get it.Coverage, run the ball. It’s just what I do. I​ play ‌football.”

Macdonald emphasized ‍Jones’s importance as a defensive anchor. “You need someone in the middle of your defense to be an anchor, patrol the middle of the ​paint, make plays in the run and the pass game, and he’s doing that. Then you add his mentality, his toughness, and leadership, it’s ⁣made a difference for‌ us.”

the impact of Jones’s addition to the Seahawks ⁣defense is undeniable, marking a meaningful return on investment one year⁣ after the trade.