With the NFC Championship spotlight burning bright and the stakes sky-high, the Seattle Seahawks have named four captains to lead them into a heavyweight clash against their division rival, the Los Angeles Rams. It’s a matchup loaded with history, tension, and playoff implications-and Seattle is turning to a mix of rising stars, emotional anchors, and explosive playmakers to set the tone.
Let’s break down the quartet tasked with steering the Seahawks on Sunday.
A.J. Barner: The Breakout Tight End and “Barn-Yard” Engine
A.J. Barner has been one of the season’s most pleasant surprises for Seattle.
The tight end has quietly become a go-to option in the passing game, finishing third on the team in receiving yards-trailing only Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp-and second in touchdown receptions behind JSN. But Barner’s impact goes beyond the stat sheet.
He’s the centerpiece of Seattle’s increasingly effective “Barn-Yard” tush push, a short-yardage weapon that’s been nearly automatic when the Seahawks need to move the chains. This weekend marks Barner’s fifth time wearing the captain’s patch this season, a testament to the trust he’s earned in the locker room and the versatility he brings to the offense.
Ernest Jones IV: The Defensive Heartbeat
If you’re looking for the emotional core of this Seahawks defense, look no further than Ernest Jones IV. The inside linebacker has been a tackling machine all year, racking up 126 total stops and leading the team with five interceptions. He’s a tone-setter in the middle of the field-aggressive, instinctive, and always around the ball.
This will also be Jones’ fifth time as a captain this season, including both regular season meetings against the Rams-his former team. There’s no doubt he’ll bring extra juice to this one, and don’t be surprised if his presence is felt early and often. Whether it’s stuffing the run or dropping into coverage, Jones is the kind of player who makes everyone around him better.
Jarran Reed: The Veteran Voice in the Trenches
Jarran Reed is no stranger to big games or big moments. The veteran defensive tackle is known for his fiery pregame speeches and brings an edge that’s hard to replicate. Despite missing four games this season due to injury and rotating with standout linemen Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy, Reed has still managed 2.5 sacks and remains a disruptive force up front.
PFF currently ranks him 50th out of 134 defensive linemen-a solid mark considering his rotational role. This will be Reed’s third time serving as captain this season, and his leadership, both vocal and physical, will be crucial against a Rams offensive line that’s been trending upward.
Rashid Shaheed: The Spark Plug on Special Teams
Then there’s Rashid Shaheed, who wasted no time making an impact in last week’s Divisional Round. He took the opening kickoff all the way to the house, giving Seattle an instant lead and setting the tone for what turned into a statement win. Now, he’ll captain the special teams unit in the biggest game of the year.
Shaheed’s ability to flip the field-or outright break it-is no secret. His teammates call him “Shid,” and opponents are starting to call him a problem.
The Rams certainly haven’t forgotten his 58-yard punt return that jumpstarted a wild 30-14 fourth-quarter comeback earlier this season. Don’t be surprised if Los Angeles opts to kick away from him entirely-yes, we’re talking Devin Hester treatment here.
This will be Shaheed’s first time as a game captain, and it feels well-earned. He’s not just a return man-he’s a weapon, plain and simple.
With these four captains leading the charge, the Seahawks are locking in on a singular goal: punching their ticket to the franchise’s fourth Super Bowl appearance of the century. The atmosphere will be electric, the rivalry is real, and the moment is massive.
Sunday evening in Seattle can’t come soon enough.