The development of AJ Barner from pleasant surprise in his rookie season to emerging star in his sophomore campaign has been one of the key components of the Seattle Seahawks’ improved offense in 2025.
He has been somewhat overshadowed by the mercurial Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the ups and downs of Sam Darnold, and the seesaw running attack of Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet. But through it all, Barner has remained a very steady presence, both as a blocker and as a receiver.
That wasn’t necessarily in the cards when John Schneider chose the University of Michigan star in the fourth round of the 2024 draft. Though he had decent athleticism and receiving skills, Barner was projected to be a classic in-line tight end who would primarily serve as a blocker. Seattle had its flex receiving tight end in Noah Fant.
Barner showed off some decent receiving skills as his rookie year progressed, but that didn’t stop Schneider from going after a more obvious flex option. In the third round of the 2025 draft, he chose Elijah Arroyo to pair with Barner.
Seahawks' AJ Barner continues his climb toward the upper tiers of NFL tight ends
When Arroyo landed on the injured list in early December, it changed Barner’s role. But the truth is, it was already changing. Barner has proven that he is far more than just a blocker. He has emerged this year as Sam Darnold’s second-favorite target after Smith-Njigba.
Barner has improved on virtually every receiving statistic from his rookie year. With one game left to play, he has 50 catches on 65 targets, up from 30 and 38 last season. His yards per catch are up almost two yards. His success rate – based on down and distance – is up as well. In fact, his 66.3% success rate has him in seventh place in the entire NFL.
Almost two-thirds of Barner’s catches this season have resulted in first downs or touchdowns. Against the Panthers in Week 17, his first two catches went for first downs. He showed off his strong yards-after-catch potential on the second of those plays.
On his third catch, he found the end zone.
Three targets. Three catches. Three very productive plays.
The running ability has shown up in short-yardage situations as he has introduced the Barnyard to Seahawks’ fans. Barner has been very effective on short yardage push plays from under center, converting nine of ten chances into first downs or, in one case, a touchdown.
He didn’t get a chance to add to that total against the Panthers because he helped draw an encroachment penalty on the defense, which also resulted in a first down.
The subtle shift that has occurred since Arroyo went out has seen Barner split out or line up as an off-line wing a bit more. Eric Saubert has taken over as the in-line tight end in some alignments, allowing Barner more flexibility.
Still, he is usually tight on the line next to either of the tackles, and he usually makes his block. Against Carolina, he was beaten cleanly by Nic Scourton on one first half running play. Otherwise, Barner was rock solid as a blocker.
He did not run any seam patterns on Sunday. Seattle’s game plan leaned heavily on running the ball and on shorter throws. But Barner has the speed to catch linebackers or safeties off guard and get deep. It is something we will probably see in the weeks ahead.
AJ Barner is not yet an elite receiving tight end. But he is a very good one. And he is a very good blocker. Best of all, he is getting better across the board. He was the seventh tight end chosen in his draft class, and as of now, Brock Bowers is the only one who is clearly better.
Seattle needs to develop another outside threat to balance JSN. Perhaps it will be Tory Horton or Rashid Shaheed. Perhaps someone new.
But they don’t really need to worry about the tight end spot. AJ Barner gives them one of the most promising young two-way players the NFL has at tight end.