The positive part here is that tight end AJ Barner doesn't need to worry about his standing with Seattle Seahawks fans. 12s know how good the player is and how valuable he was to the offense last season, especially at the end of the year. That seems to be lost on NFL executives, scouts, and coaches.
In a recent survey of the group by ESPN of the top tight ends in the league, Barner doesn't rank anywhere, not even an honorable mention. In fact, he appears not to have even received a vote. Perhaps Barner is simply overshadowed in name recognition by wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
The rest of the NFL should know better, though, especially the New England Patriots, if they had any members of their organization involved in the survey. In last season's Super Bowl against the Pats, Barner had four catches on four targets for 54 yards and a touchdown.
ESPN's poll of tight ends should make Seattle Seahawks' AJ Barner a bit miffed
Seattle's offense wasn't set up over the last couple of years for tight ends to get loads of production (not any Seahawks receivers did except for JSN in 2025), but that might change under new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury. The new OC comes from the San Francisco 49ers' system, and San Fran uses its tight ends extremely well.
It isn't as if Barner wasn't productive as a receiver last season, though, while also being a brilliant blocker. The tight end finished with 52 catches, 519 yards, and six touchdowns. He has 10 TDs in his first two seasons. Those are absolutely solid numbers.
The tight end also isn't one to not feel slighted, despite his persona as an entertainer away from the field. Who can forget the hat and fur coat worn by Barner during the team's Super Bowl parade in February? But like any athlete, he wants to feel respected.
After seeing a jump in production in his second season, he could see another jump in 2026. Getting to 70 catches would not be out of the question the way Fleury structures the offense. Plus, Barner is the kind of player the Seattle Seahawks need to take some of the attention away from Smith-Njigba.
Counting on JSN to get 1,793 receiving yards again might be foolish. There have not been a great many seasons like that in league history (JSN's total is eighth all-time). This means the offense will need to be a bit more versatile than in the title-winning season.
AJ Barner will assist the offense in doing just that. Instead of him being disrespected by the rest of the NFL if ESPN produces the same kind of list in 2027, Barner should be ranked in the top 10. The Seahawks know his value, and the rest of the league should, too.
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