The Seattle Seahawks acquired linebacker Ernest Jones IV from the Tennessee Titans in exchange for fellow ‘backer Jerome Baker and a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Jones will make his Seahawks debut against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Head coach Mike Macdonald recently said that he’ll play the MIKE linebacker position, forcing Tyrel Dodson to switch over to the weak-side [WILL] spot.
It represents a change in approach, because Dodson had actually been playing MIKE linebacker this season. Dodson, who played the weak-side linebacker position in Buffalo throughout 2023, believes the switch will lead to him recapturing his best form.
“We’re still working on that [who will be playing where],” Dodson told reporters on Thursday. “I’m a team-first guy. Moving over to the WILL [linebacker] position, it’s still linebacker at the end of the day. It’s not that much different. I’ll get to play in space a little bit more. I played it last year in Buffalo. You’re covering running backs out of the backfield. You’re in space covering tight ends. I had my best year at this position last year in Buffalo. Hopefully I have my best year again. I’m looking forward to it,” Dodson added.
Tyrel Dodson says his move from middle to weakside Will LB from the #Seahawks trading for Ernest Jones IV is moving him, Dodson, back to the position he had his best season last year with Buffalo.
He plays his former Bills Sunday at Lumen Field. @thenewstribune pic.twitter.com/Lwa78VT5FF
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) October 24, 2024
Pro Football Focus has credited Dodson with an overall defensive grade of 68.1. The former Texas A&M standout has been especially stellar in coverage, earning a 75.5. Playing weak-side linebacker will ask him to defend running backs and tight ends in space more frequently. Last year, Dodson had an elite grade of 89.5 while playing the WILL in Buffalo.
