In the run-up to a highly anticipated and historic NFC Championship game against the division rival Los Angeles Rams, the Seattle Seahawks have named their game captains. One of them was an early hero in last week’s Divisional Round of the playoffs.
The men that will lead the ‘Hawks in such a pivotal showdown are A.J. Barner (TE), Ernest Jones IV (ILB), Jarran Reed (DT) and Rashid Shaheed (WR/KR).
A.J. Barner
has emerged this year, finishing third on the team (behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp) in receiving yardage and second to only JSN in receiving touchdowns. He is also the key cog in Seattle’s successful “Barn-Yard” tush push. This will be Barner’s 5th time as a game captain in the 2025 season.
Ernest Jones IV is an emotional leader in the middle of the defense, leading the team with 126 total tackles and 5 interceptions during this year’s campaign. This will also be his 5th instance as a captain this year, including both regular season games against his former employers in the Rams.
Jarran Reed, who regularly gives passionate pregame speeches, will serve as captain for the 3rd time this year. Reed missed four games while on IR this year and has played in a rotation with two other excellent DT’s (Leo Williams and Byron Murphy). Despite this, he has 2.5 sacks and is ranked 50th out of 134 DL by PFF.
Rashid Shaheed, of course, took the opening kickoff of the game to the crib for 6 points to give Seattle the literal earliest advantage possible. will hold it down for the special teams unit, doubling as a dynamic weapon in space when featured on offense.
The man known as “Shid” by some of his teammates may even get the Devin Hester treatment (teams preferring to kick out of bounds rather than allow him chances to explode) as a return man. Los Angeles Rams personnel will surely wince at the memory of his 58-yard punt return that sparked an epic 30-14 4th quarter comeback. This is his first time serving as a game captain for the Seahawks.
These men will look to rally the Seahawks to a win that will award Seattle with its 4th Super Bowl berth this century. All eyes in the NFL turn towards Seattle this Sunday early evening.
