The Seattle Seahawks stole a victory from the Los Angeles Rams in Week 16. The win moved Seattle into sole possession of first place in the NFC West and into the current top seed in the NFC. None of that would have happened without tight end AJ Barner.
Barner was a fourth-round draft pick in 2024 because of his ability to block. The hope was that he would be able to catch a few passes, too. As a rookie, he showed immediately that he could catch and run pretty well. His second season has proven that he will be a much better receiver than the team could have ever dreamed.
The Rams learned that on Thursday Night Football. Should LA have won? Likely. They led 30-14 in the fourth quarter, after all. But there is little doubt that when they watch film of the loss, safety Kamren Kinchens, for one, will watch with an embarrassed red face.
Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner embarrasses Rams' Kamren Kinchens on Thursday Night Football
Barner caught dour passes on six targets for 49 yards. It was his 26-yard touchdown grab that was by far the most important. He appeared wide open, but he was supposed to be covered by Kinchens. The issue is the safety zigged when Barner decided to zag.
On the route, Barner ran straight into the middle of the defense from his slot position. Kinchens came over to try to cover him, and he expected Barner to cut inside, but the tight end brilliantly cut outside, and Kinchens was lost, trailing Barner by nearly 10 yards.
Quarterback Sam Darnold nearly overthrew Barner because he was so open, but the tight end finished off the brilliant play by jumping up and grabbing the ball. Poor-catching tight ends can't do that. Barner looked like a young Travis Kelce on the play, and he is much closer to the kind of player the Kansas City Chiefs star is than anyone could have guessed.
Through Week 16, AJ Barner is second on the Seattle Seahawks in terms of receptions (47) and touchdown catches (5), and is third in receiving yards (462). He is becoming the must-keep tight end the team wasn't sure it had on the roster when Seattle chose him in 2024.
He might even improve as Darnold and Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak know they can trust him. The Los Angeles Rams know they will have to deal with Barner for years to come, too, and they surely hope the tight end will not continue to embarrass them.