The Seattle Seahawks prepare for their season opener against the New England Patriots on Wednesday night, marking a Super Bowl LX rematch. The defending champions will look to build momentum after their dominant 29-13 victory over New England this past February, which secured Seattle’s championship title.
Tight end AJ Barner, who played a crucial role in that Super Bowl triumph by scoring an offensive touchdown, is entering the 2026 season in strong form. The former Michigan standout expressed confidence regarding both his mental and physical readiness following an offseason that included two surgical procedures to address injuries sustained during the previous campaign.
Barner’s health status carries significant importance for Seattle’s offense, as the tight end has become an integral part of the team’s attack. In his second professional season, he recorded 52 receptions for 519 yards and six touchdowns—improvements across all major statistical categories from his rookie year. With new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury, who brings experience coaching tight ends for the San Francisco 49ers, Barner figures to command additional attention in the passing game.
Wednesday’s matchup against New England kicks off at 5:20 p.m. Pacific Time on NBC, with the Seahawks aiming to begin their title defense with a convincing victory against the same team they defeated for the championship.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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