When the Seahawks traded for Ernest Jones IV, head coach Mike Macdonald had little idea of the impact the linebacker would have on his defense. Jones proved to be a standout, accumulating 94 tackles in 10 appearances and taking his stock much higher. He had signed with the Seahawks on an expiring contract and now as free agency looms, his future is up in the air. So far, Jones has stated his desire to be back and the franchise has reciprocated that willingness with GM John Schneid clearly stating that they want to retain him. But there seems to be some trouble in paradise.

Jones was traded twice last season: first from the Rams to the Titans in August, then to the Seahawks at the trade deadline. He soon found his feet in Seattle. He started calling plays in defense, showcasing his long-term potential in Macdonald’s plans. He seemed to love life with his new team and even praised the Seahawks coaches for bringing back “so much life into me for the love of the game.” However, a series of tweets posted by Jones suggests that there might have been some attempts to disrupt his future in Seattle.

Taking to X on Friday, he posted, “I’ve never been one to voice my frustrations publicly, but there’s something that’s been weighing on me for far too long. I’ve always prided myself on being a good teammate, and not a single person who’s ever shared a locker room with me can say I’ve disrespected them—coaches included. I wear the name ‘Jones’ with honor, because I was raised by an incredible woman who taught me that respect and being a good person are the foundations of life.

If you think I’m not good enough, that’s your right. Everyone’s entitled to their opinion and that’s what makes this country great. But when people label me as a ‘locker room cancer,’ it strikes at the very core of who I am—my character, my upbringing, and the values I stand by. God bless.”

Having been traded around by the Rams and then by the Titans, there is a possibility that some elements might look to undermine his value as he heads for free agency. When it comes to the Seahawks, he has been almost always talked about in glowing terms by those who worked with him at the franchise.

In fact, after his tweet, Seahawks’ WR Tyler Lockett was quick to show his support. Replying to Jones’ first tweet, he wrote, “Ernest has been a great teammate! Definitely someone that I would want on my team! He does things the right way! He’s a hard worker! And he makes game changing plays! He’s definitely a player that is needed in a locker room!”

Jones was thankful for the kind words as he responded to Lockett’s tweet by writing,

Meanwhile, fans immediately rallied behind him as well. The moment Jones posted his statement, his comments section flooded with support—not just from Seahawks fans, but from across the entire league. People didn’t just defend him; they recruited him. “Come to our team, we’ll treat you like a king,” one fan wrote. “We got you like a brother,” another added. Some even tagged their team’s front offices, urging them to sign Jones. Instead of damaging his reputation, the label backfired. It only proved how much respect he still commands in the league.

Jones wants a reunion with Macdonald. He made that much clear when addressing his future after the end of the regular season. “I’m going to be a Seahawk. I firmly believe that,” Jones said. On January 4, it was reported that the talks between the two parties over an extension were paused. When asked about it Jones answered, “We’ve just got to get there. That’s it. That’s all it is.”

Meanwhile, Jones’s recent tweet comes up just as GM Schneider confirmed the team plans to keep him.

Do the Seahawks want Jones back? Can they keep him?

The Seahawks paused contract talks with Ernest Jones at the end of the season, but they’re not ready to let him walk away. In fact, they’ve made it clear they want him back for 2025 and beyond. “Obviously we want Ernest back,” GM John Schneider said. “We’ve talked to his guys; we’ve had great communication with them, and we’re hoping we’re able to accomplish that. Some guys, at some point you can get too close to the end of the season where they want to see what free agency looks like. So, now they can go out and see what their market is, and understandably so,” he added.

Despite the willingness from both sides,  Seattle will need to make a strong offer if they want to keep him.

The linebacker market is stacked this year, with Super Bowl champs Nick Bolton and Zack Baun also hitting free agency. If those guys land massive contracts, Jones could become a steal for teams looking for a top-tier LB at a lower price. Right now, projections estimate his next deal to be around $12 million per year, making him one of the top 10 highest-paid linebackers. But if another team throws a Patrick Queen-type deal (three years, $41 million) at him, things could get interesting. Will the Seahawks match, or will Jones pack his bags again?

Mike Macdonald clearly sees him as a key piece, and staying put would let him build on that momentum instead of starting over yet again.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to money and fit. Seattle wants him. Ernest Jones knows he belongs in this defense. But if a team with deeper pockets makes a big offer, he’ll need to decide—secure the bag or stay where he’s valued? The Seahawks are in the mix, but they’ve got competition.