Seattle Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV did not hold back after Sam Darnold threw four interceptions in a 21-19 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, a defeat that cost Seattle sole control of first place in the NFC West. Instead of piling on his quarterback, Jones fired off an explicit defense of Darnold, and a not-so-subtle message to anyone trying to pin the loss entirely on him.
GettyErnest Jones and the Seattle Seahawks defense held MVP-candidate Matthew Stafford to just 130 yards passing. Even then, he refused to let outsiders pile on to his quarterback, Sam Darnold, after he threw four costly interceptions.
Darnold had a nightmare afternoon in Inglewood, throwing four picks as the Seahawks fell to 7-3 and watched the Rams jump to 8-2 and grab the tiebreaker atop the division. It was Darnold’s first four-interception game since 2019 and a stark contrast to the way he’s played most of this season.
In a press conference afterward, Jones made it clear he wasn’t having any narrative that made the loss only about his quarterback. Jones started by stressing how well Darnold has played overall this year and how one performance shouldn’t rewrite the story of Seattle’s season so far.
Here’s the full, unfiltered tone of what Jones said as he went to bat for Darnold, cleaned up slightly for clarity but not for language:
“Sam’s been balling. If we want to try to define Sam by this game… Sam’s had us in every f—ing game. So for him to sit there and say, ‘Oh, that’s my fault, my fault,’ no it’s not. There’s plays we could have made, opportunities where we could have got better stops. It’s football, man. He’s our quarterback. We got his back. If you have anything to say, quite frankly, f— you.”
Jones emphasized that the loss wasn’t all on Darnold, repeating “he’s our quarterback” and ending with the same “quite frankly, f— you” aimed at critics.
The quote instantly rocketed around social media as one of the most aggressive public defenses of a quarterback we’ve seen from a teammate this season.
“Sam has had us in every fucking game. For him to say it’s on him, no it’s not. If you’ve got anything to say, fuck you.”
– Ernest Jones
Jones’ explosion didn’t come out of nowhere. It’s rooted in the way Darnold has helped fuel Seattle’s start and the belief inside the building that the 28-year-old has finally stabilized his career with the Seahawks.
Darnold has stacked big performances all year, including a Week 9 blowout win at Washington where he threw four first-half touchdown passes and briefly saw his MVP betting odds slash from longshot territory into the serious-conversation range.
Seattle’s formula has been straightforward: a defense that flies around and takes the ball away, paired with Darnold playing efficient, aggressive football and hitting explosive plays downfield. That formula had the Seahawks out to a hot start and unbeaten on the road before the trip to Los Angeles.
Jones, meanwhile, has become the heartbeat of Seattle’s defense since arriving via trade. Since his acquisition last season, he’s racked up over 150 tackles and multiple interceptions while taking over as the on-field signal caller in the middle of the defense. Head coach Mike Macdonald has praised his leadership and toughness, calling him an “anchor” in the middle.
So when Darnold melted down against a Rams team that has haunted him dating back to his Minnesota Vikings stint — including a rough playoff loss last year — Jones’ message was as much about protecting the
He made it clear: the defense is taking ownership too. This wasn’t going to be framed as “Sam lost the division lead by himself” without some pushback.
From the outside, four interceptions in a key divisional game will naturally spark questions about Darnold’s grip on the job and whether the Seahawks might reconsider their long-term plan. Inside the building, Jones’ comments are the strongest sign yet that there is no quarterback controversy, and Darnold is still very much
Nothing out of Sunday suggested Macdonald is even remotely considering a change. Seattle’s defense gave them a chance despite the turnovers, and Darnold still nearly drove the team into long field-goal range in the final seconds before Jason Myers came up short on a 61-yarder.
Jones’ f-bomb-laced defense also sends a message to the rest of the roster: criticism of Darnold from outside is just noise, and the standard in-house is that everyone owns a close loss like this, especially when the Seahawks actually out-gained the Rams by a wide margin and held them to just over 100 yards across their final 29 offensive plays.
Seattle doesn’t have much time to sulk. The Seahawks now turn around for a Week 12 road trip to the Tennessee Titans, followed by a massive home matchup against Darnold’s former team, the Minnesota Vikings, and then a road game against the Atlanta Falcons, a stretch that will go a long way toward deciding whether this is a stumble or the start of a slide.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman continues to prove that his leadership extends far beyond the football field. Following a viral post from former President Barack Obama, Coleman stepped up to join the national campaign against hunger in America with a $75,000 donation to Feeding Wisconsin, an initiative dedicated to supporting families struggling with food insecurity across the state.
Obama’s post on X (formerly Twitter) highlighted the alarming statistic that “more than 47 million Americans — including one in five children — don’t have reliable access to nutritious food.” Within hours of the post, Coleman, who has rapidly become one of the most exciting young receivers in the NFL, responded by contributing a generous sum to help alleviate the hunger crisis in Wisconsin.
The Bills’ star has been performing at an elite level this season. Through the first eight games of the year, Coleman has caught 65 passes for 1,100 yards and 9 touchdowns, becoming a cornerstone of Buffalo’s explosive offense. As the team fights for a top spot in the AFC, Coleman has proven that he is more than just a rising star—he is a player with a heart as big as his talent.
Speaking on his donation, Coleman expressed a deep connection to the state of Wisconsin, stating, “I’ve seen the struggles that families face here, and if I can use my platform to make sure fewer kids go to bed hungry, then that’s a win far greater than any touchdown.”
Barack Obama, whose leadership on social issues has resonated with many throughout his career, praised Coleman’s selfless act. He posted on X, saying, “Keon Coleman reminds us that leadership isn’t just about performance — it’s about purpose. Proud to see another young athlete stepping up for America’s families.” The former president also took the time to send Coleman a handwritten letter, accompanied by a framed presidential photograph, acknowledging his efforts to make a positive impact off the field.
As Coleman continues to lead the Bills toward playoff contention, his influence reaches far beyond the locker room. Fans of the Buffalo Bills are not only cheering for his on-field success—they are also rallying behind his commitment to making a real difference in the lives of those who need it most.
For the residents of Buffalo, Coleman’s contribution has cemented his place as more than just the wide receiver for their beloved team. In his words, “winning games is important, but if I can make a difference in people’s lives, that’s the real victory.”
As the Bills prepare for their Week 9 matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium, fans will no doubt be watching their star receiver not just for his performance, but also for his unwavering commitment to improving his community and the nation as a whole.
This is what true leadership looks like—on and off the field.