Now healthy, Seahawks TE Barner enters Year 3 feeling ‘my best’

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner didn’t let a slew of injuries slow him down during his breakout 2025 season.

Former substitute teacher making noise with Seahawks

But after undergoing two surgeries following the Super Bowl in February, Barner is feeling a bit different heading into Year 3 of his NFL career.

“I’m getting close to feeling better than I’ve ever felt, which is really exciting,” Barner said after a training camp practice last week.

Through he didn’t miss any games last season, Barner was listed on the injury report with ailments to his ankle, calf, knee, hip, elbow and shoulder at various points from Weeks 10-18.

Barner revealed last week that one of his offseason surgeries was to repair a nagging ankle injury he suffered during the Senior Bowl in February 2024 – a couple months prior to when Seattle selected him in the fourth round of the NFL Draft.

Barner explained that the lingering ankle issue contributed to some of the injuries he dealt with last season.

“You play so long with an injury that it kind of (impacts) everything up the chain, like the hamstring,” Barner said. “So I had to get all of that right, and really starting to feel my best right now.”

Even with all the injuries, Barner hauled in 52 catches for 519 yards and six touchdowns last season. He added four receptions for 54 yards in the Seahawks’ Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots, including a 16-yard TD grab that helped put the game out of reach.

Barner also ranked 15th out of 75 tight ends in Pro Football Focus run block grading last season. And he was invaluable in short-yardage situations, using his 6-foot-6, 251-pound frame to convert 10 of 11 “tush push” attempts.

Now, Barner enters his third NFL season feeling as healthy as he’s been since college.

“I definitely did have to deal with some (injuries last season), and it was really challenging, so hopefully I don’t have to deal with those this year,” Barner said.

“But I mean, that’s kind of the game that I play. And regardless, I’m going to put a product out there on Sundays that the 12s are going to be proud of and that I’m going to be proud of.”

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