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As part of their grand redesign of their offensive identity, the Seattle Seahawks have relied heavily on their tight ends in both the passing and running game. Leading the way is 2024 fourth-round pick A.J. Barner, who quietly was second on the Seahawks in receptions (53) and receiving touchdowns (6), as well as third in yards (519). Add in his abilities as a blocker and he’s got the makings of a well-rounded player who can help the Seahawks win for years to come.
In an interview with Field Gulls, Barner discussed the benefits of Seattle’s switch from their more 11 personnel based offense under Ryan Grubb to a scheme under Klint Kubiak in which 12 or 13 personnel is prominently and frequently utilized.
“It creates extra gaps in the run game,” Barner said. “Obviously gets more big bodies on the field and puts the defense in the predicament when you have versatile tight ends to how they’re going to match the personnel, as well. It’s been a great advantage for us, and I think the rest of the league is moving towards using more tight ends.”
Barner was considered more of a blocking tight end coming out of Michigan, where he was the backup to future first-round pick Colston Loveland. Given how he’s performed as a receiver through his first two seasons in the NFL, Barner believes he’s dispelled the notion that he’s just a blocking tight end, but rather one with an all-around skill set.
“I continue to grow in all facets of my game, but hopefully soon we’re going to be talking about me as one of the best tight ends in the league,” Barner said. “Just being able to do all the things asked out of a tight end.”
Barner is in a division loaded with talent at the position, none more prominent than San Francisco 49ers star George Kittle. He’s one of the players Barner wanted to emulate growing up.
“I’m from Cleveland, Ohio, and Travis Kelce is from there so I’m a big Travis Kelce fan,” Barner said. “I’ve got a lot of respect for George Kittle just being in the division watching a lot of tape with him. I think those two guys have been doing it at a high level for a really long time and are kind of the mainstays of the position. Quite honestly there’s a lot of really talented tight ends in the league, and I really just want to continue to learn as much as I can from myself and other guys as well.”
Incidentally, the interviewer ahead of me (Matthew Neschis) asked several questions about ‘The Barnyard’ short yardage play and whether he supports the tush push (spoiler: he does), so keeping in mind that the NFL could move to ban this play in the offseason after nearly doing so last offseason, let’s hope that this weekend isn’t the last time we see The Barnyard any time soon.
If Barner does score a touchdown, he says he plans to make his trademark celebration (which he called “The Barnstomp”) popular around the world.
