Huard: How Jones’ reported new deal is ‘tremendous value’ for Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks reportedly locked up their biggest pending free agent before he could hit the open market.

Linebacker Ernest Jones IV and the Seahawks agreed to a three-year deal worth up to $33 million, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday. The deal keeps Jones in Seattle through the 2027 campaign after he came to the Seahawks in a midseason trade and helped spark a defensive turnaround in 2024.

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According to Over The Cap, Jones’ new deal carries a $28.5 million total base salary with an additional $4.5 million available through incentives and escalators. He has a cap hit of roughly $5.3 million in 2025, $10.3 million in 2026 and $12.8 million in 2027.

However, the contract has just $15 million in total guarantees, and the Seahawks aren’t on the hook for much in the third year. Seattle can save $10.5 million against the cap if it cuts Jones prior to June 1 in 2027, with roughly $2.3 million left in a dead money.

During his Blue 88 segment Monday on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk, former NFL quarterback and FOX football analyst Brock Huard shared why he believes the Seahawks got “tremendous value” in re-signing Jones.

Huard believes the Seahawks made a wise decision when they “amicably paused discussions” on a contract extension with Jones near the end of last season.

“I think the Seahawks were pretty wise and pretty keen to shut down conversations with him in-season,” Huard said. “(The Seahawks) went to the (scouting) combine, saw what the market was and the market (for Jones) was not what you’ve seen a few other linebackers get paid at 15, 16, 18 million. (The Seahawks) kind of slow-played this thing.”

Jones’ deal does stack up favorably compared to what other top linebackers who were set to hit the free agent market reportedly received. The Washington Commanders gave All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun $51 million over three years, the New York Jets re-signed Jamien Sherwood for $45 million over three years, the Kansas City Chiefs re-signed Nick Bolton for $45 million over three years, and the Denver Broncos signed former 49ers standout Dre Greenlaw for $35 million over three years.

“So (Jones) gets his money. He gets 15 million guaranteed,” Huard said. “Great for him. Life-changing money for him as a mid-round pick, and you get a tremendous value on your books – certainly compared to a linebacker market that went a little crazy.”

Hear the full conversation at this link or in the audio player in this story. Listen to Brock and Salk weekdays form 6-10 a.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.

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