The Seahawks are making a change at linebacker, having agreed to a trade with the Titans to acquire Ernest Jones IV.
The trade, which is pending physicals, will send linebacker Jerome Baker to Tennessee, along with draft-pick compensation, in exchange for Jones, a 2021 third-round pick
Jones, 24, spent his first three seasons with the Rams, then was traded to Tennessee prior to the start of this season. Jones took over a starting job midway through his rookie season, starting seven games, then started 11 games in 2022 and 15 games last season. During the 2023 season, his first as an every-down linebacker, Jones recorded a Rams franchise record 145 tackles, 4.5 sacks, six passes defensed, 14 tackles for loss and six quarterback hits.
In his six games with the Titans, Jones had 44 tackles, three tackles for loss and two passes defensed. Jones should arrive in Seattle familiar with Mike Macdonald's defense, having played in a similar scheme in Tennessee under defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson. Before joining the Titans this year, Wilson spent the 2023 season working with Macdonald as Baltimore's defensive backs coach, and he brought a similar scheme with him to Tennessee.
Baker, 27, signed with the Seahawks as a free agent this offseason after spending his first six seasons with the Dolphins. After being limited in training camp by a hamstring injury, Baker made it back for Seattle's season opener, but later injured his hamstring again in a Week 2 victory in New England, causing him to miss the next two games. In five starts, Baker recorded 30 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, two passes defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
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)
