Linebacker Ernest Jones IV opened up about personal challenges following the Seattle Seahawks blowout 41-6 win over the San Francisco 49ers. The player was dealing with some health issues just days before the game, but didn’t let it stop him from showing his tackling prowess. And when asked about his team’s dominance against the Niners on the field, it didn’t even catch him off guard. 

“I was down there for two days, and once football came around, I got a little light, so, but I’m good now,” he said via reporter Greg Bell’s post on X.

According to Bell, Ernest Jones IV sat out two days of practice due to illness. The team had included him on the injury report, but took his name off right before the Divisional Round. And when the linebacker took the field on Saturday, he brushed off all concerns with his impressive production. He recorded six tackles, including four solo. Thankfully, his sickness was not related to his knee issues that had cost him two games this season. 

In Week 9, the 26-year-old hurt his knee while suiting up against the Washington Commanders. It led him to miss one game before returning against the Los Angeles Rams. Head coach Mike Macdonald explained that Jones was managing soreness and had aggravated his injury. But he ended up missing one more game the following week. But that was all in the past, and the player now seems to be doing all right.

Beyond his personal struggles, he showed confidence in Seattle’s defense. It’s the very unit that has now held San Francisco without a touchdown across their last two meetings, allowing just nine total points. He admitted the performance didn’t “exceed” his expectations.

“No, I think with us, we come out and play the style of ball that we’re capable of, execute like we are, and we can do this often,” he said.

The Seahawks’ defense took off right after wide receiver Rashid Shaheed returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a score just 13 seconds in. They choked the Niners’ ground game and made QB Brock Purdy struggle in passing the ball. They exerted enough pressure on the opponent, leading to a strip-sack fumble and a late interception. Meanwhile, the offense also clicked despite QB Sam Darnold’s oblique injury. Running back Kenneth Walker III dismantled San Francisco by rushing for 116 yards and posting three scores. Back at Jones, he wasn’t done praising his team. 

Ernest Jones IV gives a nod to Mike Macdonald’s leadership

It’s been just two years since Mike Macdonald took the reins as head coach at Seattle, his first time in the role. But his success is already making fans miss former HC Pete Carroll less. Currently, Macdonald holds a stellar 24-10 record across the two campaigns. The Seahawks secured the first seed after 2014 under him, and now their postseason form is paving the way for a Super Bowl win. 

While talking to reporters, Ernest Jones IV couldn’t help but give the coach his flowers.

“Mike is the reason why we are here,” he said.

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This wasn’t the first time the linebacker had acknowledged Macdonald’s efforts. After their 13-3 win over the 49ers in the regular-season finale, he highlighted one key aspect that sets the coach apart.

“We’re here today as number one seed because of Mike,” he said. “Not just the way he calls it, but the community that he’s building in that locker room. We play for each other. We fight for each other. I’ve said this before, we got here to this point, and it started last year. It started through those ups and downs that we had last year when I came here. It started then, and we were able to pick it up this year and just keep rolling.”

The team’s ever-growing confidence in Macdonald underscores his powerful leadership. It’s not even surprising if Seattle pulls off winning the Lombardi Trophy this year.