Titans make 2nd trade of the day by swapping linebackers with Seattle, AP source says
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook, left, runs for a touchdown past Tennessee Titans linebacker Ernest Jones IV (53) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. Credit: AP/Charles Krupa
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans made their second trade Wednesday by swapping linebackers with Seattle, sending Ernest Jones to the Seahawks for linebacker Jerome Baker, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
The deal also includes Seattle sending a fourth-round pick to Tennessee, a person with knowledge of the deal told the AP. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the teams haven’t announced the trade.
That ends a very short stay in Tennessee for Jones after the Rams traded him in late August. He is in the final year of his rookie contract as a third-round draft pick in 2021 out of South Carolina. He helped the Rams win a Super Bowl in his rookie season and led them in tackles as the defensive signal-caller last season.
Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said that Jones will likely play middle linebacker, with fellow linebacker Tyrel Dodson shifting to the weakside. Macdonald expects Jones to be ready to play Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.
“A guy that we’ve had respect for for a long time,” Macdonald said. “Just a really good football player all the way around. I remember seeing him making plays in the Super Bowl, that was probably the first time he kind of got on my map. Just excited to get him here and get him rolling.”
Baker signed a one-year, $7 million contract this past March after visiting with Tennessee. He spent his first six years with Miami. He had 30 combined tackles and one sack in five games this season. Baker missed two games after injuring his hamstring in Seattle’s Week 2 win over New England.
The Jones’ trade alone nets the Titans a fourth-round pick in April and a sixth-rounder in 2026 along with Baker at the cost of a fifth-rounder in 2026.
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, right, runs the ball against Seattle Seahawks linebacker Jerome Baker, left, during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024 in Seattle. Credit: AP/Lindsey Wasson
Earlier Wednesday, Tennessee agreed to a deal sending three-time All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs needing to replenish a position group ravaged by injuries.
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AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi and AP freelance writer Shane Lantz in Renton, Washington, contributed to this report.
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