Ernest Jones: Seahawks’ post-Super Bowl mindset ‘different’ than Rams

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV has some unique perspective on the challenges a defending champion can face.

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Back in February 2022, Jones capped his rookie season by hoisting the Lombardi Trophy with the Los Angeles Rams. But the following season, the Rams came crashing back down to earth and struggled through an injury-ravaged 5-12 campaign.

As the Seahawks now look to become just the third repeat Super Bowl champion this century, how does the team’s mindset compare to those 2022 Rams?

“I just think the mindset, it’s kind of different,” Jones said. “The first time (with the Rams), we were trying to defend it. This time, (last year) really doesn’t matter. … Last year is not going to help us.

“We’ve gotta go out and do it again and do what we did and establish ourself early and keep that going.”

Jones’ comments echo head coach Mike Macdonald’s “run it forward” mantra for the 2026 season – a play on the usual “run it back” phrase many teams use after winning a championship.

That forward-looking approach has been evident with Seattle’s “Dark Side” defense, according to Jones. After allowing an NFL-low 17.2 points per game last season, the Seahawks’ defense is striving to be even better this fall.

“I think scheme-wise, doing some different things, seeing where guys, can we move around, can we add different layers to our games,” Jones said. “And I think just the overall day to day just seeing improvements out of guys, whether it’s by position or scheme-wise, you can tell this team’s getting better.”

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