The Seahawks final game of the season will be a full circle moment for Ernest Jones Iv as Jones makes his way back to L.A. to play one of his former teams, the team he was drafted to. In 2021, Jones was drafted in the third round by the Rams and was traded by the Rams to the Titans before the start of the 2024 season. Seattle then made an in-season trade to acquire Jones ahead of Week 8.
Jones is just thankful for the opportunity to go out there and play another game, despite the history between him and the Rams.
"To be honest with you, like that stuff is far beyond me," he said. "Like wish it was for something, but like I said, I'm going to go out there, play this last game with this group of guys who welcomed me in so graciously."
This season, for Jones has been a whirlwind. Before the NFL season kicked off, Jones and his wife welcomed the birth of their first child in July. And then just a little over a month later in August, Jones was traded and had to make the cross-country trek to a new home with the Tennessee Titans.
During his first press conference as a Seahawk, on being traded and moving twice he said, "Mentally it's just a mental battle just for me. We have a three-month-old son, so the whole time I'm just thinking about my son and my wife. Sitting on that plane I don't want to put them through this again. So even though getting traded wasn't always on me, I'm ready to go play football so I can go out here and show not only the Seahawks but show that I am what I say I am."
And asked this week looking back what it's all been like he said, "Honestly it's been, hate to use the word hell, but that's one way to describe it. Crazy. Been a whirlwind of emotions for me the past couple months having to move my family back and forth; just seeing my family have to stay in hotels for months at a time. It's been rough for me…I would say I need some decompression time if I'm being real with you."
While he is looking forward to the decompression time, he's also looking ahead to what's next for him.
"Coaches like me; I love it here," he said. "I would love to be here. As far as like extension or free agency, I'm just letting my agent handle it, letting the organization handle it, and hopefully we get something done so I can be around.
Jones is in the final year of his rookie deal and is set to become a free agent.
Earlier this week head coach Mike Macdonald was asked about what he's continued to learn about Jones.
"He's a great player and there's a poise to how he operates, which I respect," Macdonald said. "I think the guy loves football. Those are the guys that do really well here. He would do great in a lot of organizations, probably every organization, but I think he's a great fit here. We love him, and I think he loves it here too. It's been great so far."
As a Seahawk this season, Jones has started all nine games since being traded, has an interception, two passes defensed, a forced fumble and notched his third-consecutive 100-tackle season.
DK Metcalf, who played against Jones when he was with the Rams, said he was mad when he was playing against him, but now, has gotten to know him as a player and person.
"Just playing against him for the past couple years, and then for him to be on the team. You know, it's a very different perspective on Sunday than spending every day dang near with the person. You know, just seeing him on the field, seeing how he works, carries himself, I was mad at him going against him, but now I just get to know him as a person and not just a football player."
And to peel back the layers of just the kind of player Jones is Metcalf shared an example that showed Jones' character.
"I know there was a pass early in the year when we were at practice and the ball just barely got over his head when he tried to jump into the ball," Metcalf said. "He came down and he screamed like, I got to make that play. That's just the type of person he is. He wants to be better for the team, not just for himself only."
Some of that, Jones has credited to taking notes from former Seahawk Bobby Wagner, who spent a year with the Rams, when Jones was a rookie.
"I've always said my career has been crazy, but it's been a blessing in every way. But Bobby, man, just the way he just -- and it wasn't really like things he was telling me. The way showed me and went about his business, I admired that. That's something that I want to be like of course. He's one the greats in this game, so of course I wanted to model my way after him. But man, he was great. Leadership, everything, you name it. He was great."
The Seahawks agreed to terms with the Tennessee Titans to acquire linebacker Ernest Jones IV on October 23, 2024. Check out some of the best photos of Jones through the years.
Tennessee wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) runs for yardage as he's chased by South Carolina linebacker Ernest Jones (53) and defensive back Israel Mukuamu (24) in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Vanderbilt running back Ke'Shawn Vaughn (5) carries the ball against South Carolina linebacker Ernest Jones (53) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
South Carolina linebacker Ernest Jones covers a play against Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida running back Dameon Pierce (27) looks for a way past South Carolina linebacker Ernest Jones (53) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Vanderbilt quarterback Ken Seals (8) is tackled by South Carolina linebacker Ernest Jones (53) during their game, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
South Carolina linebacker Ernest Jones plays against Vanderbilt in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Ernest Jones (50) in coverage during an NFL preseason NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Ernest Jones (50) looks into the offensive backfield during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Ernest Jones (50) on kickoff coverage during an NFL Professional Football Game Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/John McCoy)
Linebacker (50) Ernest Jones of the Los Angeles Rams makes a tackle against the Houston Texans in an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Houston, Texas. Rams won 38-22. (AP Photo/Jeff Lewis)
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Ernest Jones (50) celebrates an interception with teammates during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Justin Rex )
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Ernest Jones (50) during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021 in Inglewood, Calif. The Titans defeated the Rams 28-16. (John McGillen via AP)
Los Angeles Rams linebackers Troy Reeder (51) and Ernest Jones (50) celebrate during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021 in Inglewood, Calif. The Titans defeated the Rams 28-16. (John McGillen via AP)
Los Angeles Rams inside linebacker Ernest Jones (50) reacts after a defensive stop during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Rams inside linebacker Ernest Jones (50) stops Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison (25) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Los Angeles Rams inside linebacker Ernest Jones (50) reacts after a defensive play against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Rams inside linebacker Ernest Jones (50) celebrates his sack against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is tackled by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Ernest Jones (53) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Ernest Jones (53) makes an interception in the end zone during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Ernest Jones (53) reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Ernest Jones, left, tackles San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Ernest Jones (53) chases Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rondale Moore (4) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) runs the ball as Los Angeles Rams linebacker Ernest Jones (53) and cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (44) chase during the second half of an NFL football Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Ernest Jones (53) reacts during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Ernest Jones (53) reacts during an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, December 17, 2023 in Inglewood, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) looks to pass on the run against Los Angeles Rams linebacker Ernest Jones (53) during the first half an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) rushes against Los Angeles Rams linebacker Ernest Jones (53) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Tennessee Titans linebacker Ernest Jones IV (53) defends against Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in Chicago. The Bears defeated the Titans 24-17. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
Tennessee Titans linebacker Ernest Jones IV (53) takes the field before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Tennessee Titans linebacker Ernest Jones IV (53) tackles New York Jets wide receiver Malachi Corley (17) in the first half of an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Tennessee Titans linebacker Ernest Jones IV (53) grabs Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright (25) during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Brennan Asplen)
Tennessee Titans linebacker Ernest Jones, IV (53) defends during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
