Seahawks Press

Top Takeaway

Seahawks tight end AJ Barner dropped a major bombshell today, revealing he has spent the last two seasons playing through a lingering Senior Bowl ankle injury that caused hamstring issues up his leg. After undergoing successful off-season surgery, Barner is finally healthy, nearing 100%, and feeling better than he ever has.

Press Conferences & Interviews

AJ Barner: “It’s Going To Be A Big Year For Elijah Arroyo & The Rest Of The TEs” | Seattle Seahawks · Seahawks Press Pass Tight end AJ Barner brought a highly positive and relaxed attitude to today’s media session, declaring he has “better vibes” now that he is fully acclimated and having fun with the playbook. Barner’s biggest news was his physical health; he disclosed that he has spent the last two years fighting through an ankle injury sustained at the Senior Bowl, which triggered secondary hamstring issues up his leg. After undergoing successful off-season surgery, he is finally pain-free and feeling better than he has in years. Barner is also highly enthusiastic about the tight end room’s versatility under coordinator Brian, specifically calling out teammate Elijah Arroyo as a player who is “balling” and primed for a breakout year. Additionally, he offered glowing praise for quarterback Jalen Milro (referred to in transcripts as “Jaylen Noro” or “Jay Mill”), stating that Milro is throwing with immense confidence in the pocket and possesses a uniquely fast “quick draw” release.

Drake Thomas: “This Organization Means A Lot To Me” | Seattle Seahawks · Seahawks Press Pass Linebacker Drake Thomas was in high spirits and expressed profound appreciation for the Seahawks organization, reflecting on his journey from an undrafted free agent to earning a starting spot and securing a new two-year contract extension. Thomas praised the front office for standing by him during his injury rehab and giving him the grace to get comfortable again. Fans will love his connection to the game: Thomas has switched back to jersey number 32—the same number his father wore as a college player at Marshall—which he has worn since Pop Warner, making him feel like himself. In a classic lineback-room moment, Thomas joked that playing behind the Seahawks’ dominant defensive front is actually making practice “a little bit boring” because the defensive line is eating up double teams and blowing up plays before the linebackers can even get involved.

Seattle ended up being the perfect destination for Leonard Williams. · Seahawks Press Pass Defensive lineman Leonard Williams reflected with deep sincerity on how his trade to Seattle immediately “lit a fire” under him and restored his energy and love for the game. That passion has only heightened under head coach Mike Macdonald, whose defensive principles have allowed Williams to work hand-in-hand with the coaching staff to build a dominant, collaborative system.

Training Camp Press Conference - August 13, 2026 · Seahawks Press Pass While this press conference is officially listed in today’s video index, no transcript or notes were provided in today’s source materials for this specific clip.

Injury & Roster Updates

• AJ Barner is nearing 100% after undergoing off-season surgery to correct a lingering Senior Bowl ankle injury that was causing compensatory hamstring issues up the chain for two years.
• Drake Thomas has officially signed a two-year contract extension, solidifying his position as a core piece of this defense after the organization showed faith in him through his injury recovery.

Reading Between the Lines

• Brian’s Offense is Getting Creative with Size: Tight end AJ Barner highlighted that coordinator Brian’s offensive scheme will heavily feature multiple tight end personnel groupings, complex motions, and a tight integration of run-blocking with intermediate and deep passing routes to create versatile matchups.
• Milro’s Pocket Poise and Confidence: The praise for quarterback Jalen Milro (“Jay Mill”) is a massive signal; teammates are noticing a drastic increase in his pocket poise, decision-making confidence, and a lightning-fast “quick draw” release that makes him highly dangerous as a passer.
• The D-Line is Absolutely Dominating: Drake Thomas’s comment that practice is getting “boring” because the defensive front is swallowing up double teams means the defensive line is ahead of schedule, completely controlling the line of scrimmage, and freeing up second-level defenders to fly around.

🎧 If you’d like to listen to this on the go, I can generate an audio overview summarizing Barner’s injury recovery and Drake Thomas’s leadership role on the defense.