Ernest Jones Cashes In: Former Gamecock Lands $33M Deal with Seahawks!
Ernest Jones has secured his long-term future in the NFL. According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, the former South Carolina football standout has inked a three-year, $33 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks, ensuring he stays put after a mid-season trade from the Tennessee Titans. The deal includes $15 million in guaranteed money and places Jones among the top 10 highest-paid linebackers in the league based on both total and annual contract value.
Jones Proves His Worth in Seattle
Seattle’s decision to retain Jones comes as no surprise. Despite joining the team midseason, he racked up nearly 100 tackles in just 10 games. Even after missing a week due to the trade, he still finished 13th in the NFL in total tackles for 2024. Had he played that extra game, he likely would have cracked the league’s top 10.
His impact went beyond the stat sheet. Jones helped fuel a late-season surge, leading Seattle to six wins in their final eight games and turning them from an afterthought into a playoff contender. However, the Seahawks ultimately fell short in the NFC West, losing the division to the Los Angeles Rams on a tiebreaker.
One of the NFL’s Biggest Pro Bowl Snubs—Again
For the second consecutive season, Jones was one of the Pro Bowl’s most glaring snubs. His 138 tackles in 2024 followed a monster 145-tackle campaign in 2023, a season where he set the Rams’ single-season franchise record—despite missing two games.
From 3-Star Recruit to NFL Star
During his time at South Carolina, Jones was a team captain and All-SEC standout. Originally a 3-star recruit, he defied expectations, becoming a third-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Despite only playing two full-time seasons, he cemented himself as one of the best linebackers in Gamecocks history. Had he stayed longer, his name would be all over South Carolina’s record books.
Now, with a $33 million payday and a crucial role in Seattle’s defense, Ernest Jones has officially arrived as one of the NFL’s premier linebackers.
