After a mostly quiet first campaign, Barner became a key cog in the Seahawks offense in 2025, posting 519 yards and six touchdowns on 52 catches (second in the bat). In the Super Bowl win over New England, he gained 54 yards and a crucial TD on four catches.
Barners’ pass catching ability helps round out the offense along with receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp and Rashid Shaheed. The TE plays a particularly key role in the red zone. Barner was also used in short yardage situations, generating nine rushing first downs and a TD in a “tush-push” role.
Barner has yet to participate in offseason practice while rehabbing from two offseason surgeries. Barner didn’t specify what he had fixed, but he played through several injuries last season. He was on the injury report at various times last season with hip, elbow, shoulder, knee, ankle and calf issues. Barner said he expects to be ready for training camp and believes he will be healthier than he was a year ago after the surgery.
“You all saw what it was during the season,” Barner said. “It’s stuff that I’ve been dealing with, honestly, my whole pro career. I’m somebody that, no matter how I feel, I’m going to play, just like a lot of other guys in our locker room. So I’m definitely feeling better, it’s definitely still a process to get back out there, but when training camp gets ready, I’ll be ready to go.”
As the Seahawks break in new coordinator Brian Fleury, Barner is proving to be a vital part of an offensive scheme that has made heavy use of the tight end position. If he can stay healthy, the Indiana and Michigan product could see his production take another leap in 2026.