Ernest Jones IV Fires Back: ‘It’s Personal Between the Rams and Me!
When the Seattle Seahawks face the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday in a matchup of two of the best teams in the NFC, all eyes will be on the return of wide receiver Cooper Kupp. However, another member of the Seahawks is a former Ram, and for this player, the game is personal.
Seahawks’ star linebacker Ernest Jones IV played the Rams twice after being traded from the Tennessee Titans to the Seahawks last October. However, he still relishes the opportunity to rub in the Rams’ faces what they gave up.
Last year in two games against the Rams, Jones had 18 tackles, a 0.5 sack, and one tackle for loss in two games against the Rams. For Jones, this isn’t just another game to him.
Personal Vendetta
A battle for the division is already going to be highly emotional, but for Ernest Jones IV, there is an extra layer of animosity.
Jones was drafted by the Rams in the third round out of the University of South Carolina in 2021. In his rookie year, Jones started and recorded seven tackles and one sack in the Rams’ Super Bowl victory. Before the 2024 season, Jones was traded away to the Titans, and he has kept a grudge ever since.
Jones told Mike Dugar of The Athletic in October that he wanted to make the Rams feel the pain every time they faced him.
“It’s a lot personal for me,” Jones says after a year to reflect. “They gave up on me too early. They gave up on my knee. They thought I wasn’t going to be anything. They thought I was going to be dead and out this league pretty soon.”
Since joining the Seahawks, Jones has shown he is far from finished. Last season, Jones had 94 tackles, 0.5 sacks, one interception, and one forced fumble in 10 games with the Seahawks. The Seahawks appreciated his efforts so much that they rewarded him with a three-year, $33 million contract, with $15 million guaranteed.
Jones’ Impact On the Seahawks
Ernest Jones IV wears the “green dot” at middle linebacker for the Seahawks. That means he’s the quarterback of the defense, and that’s not an honor that’s bestowed upon just anyone.
Since his arrival last October, Jones has turned the Seahawks’ defense into one of the best in the NFL. Jones’ teammates have recognized his impact as well.
Ari Horton of Seahawks.com, in her October 23 article on Jones, quoted star defensive tackle Leonard Williams on how Jones leads the defense.
“He’s so comfortable now with just taking control,” Leonard Williams said. “He sees the offense coming out with a quick tempo. Instead of waiting for the call, sometimes he’ll just get us quick, get us set. Once our cleats are in the ground, it’s like he trusts our team. I think that’s where EJ is doing a good job of just taking control of the defense.”
Jones is the one player with whom head coach Mike Macdonald communicates most on defense throughout a game. Getting Jones back for the biggest game of the season for the Seahawks wouldn’t just be significant for the team, but also for Jones personally, as he gets to enact his form of revenge.
Carson Wentz Boldly Claims Starting Quarterback Role for Week 7, Vows to Lead Vikings to Victory Amid Uncertainty at QB Position
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz has expressed his confidence in being the starting quarterback for the team in Week 7. With uncertainty surrounding the position, Wentz took the initiative to declare his readiness to lead the offense as the starting signal-caller.
“I’m ready to step up and take control,” Wentz said in a recent interview. “I’ve been preparing all season, and I’m confident in my ability to help this team win. I know what’s at stake, and I’m ready to lead us forward.”
Wentz’s assertion comes amid questions about who will start under center for the Vikings, with the team facing critical decisions regarding their quarterback situation. However, Wentz is determined to prove that he is the right choice to guide the offense moving forward.
“I’ve been working hard with the team and getting in sync with the offense,” Wentz continued. “I’m confident that I can make the plays needed to help us succeed. I’m excited for the opportunity and ready to do what it takes.”
As the Vikings prepare for Week 7, Wentz’s leadership and experience will be key in providing stability and direction for the offense, as the team looks to turn things around and compete for a playoff spot.
