Michigan rookie aims for another championship with Seattle Seahawks

A.J. Barner, a Seattle Seahawks draft pick, hopes to win more in the NFL by teaming up with another former Michigan Wolverine, coach Mike Macdonald.

The Seattle Seahawks have not won a Super Bowl in a decade, but they are adding championship experience to their squad with fourth-round rookie right end A.J. Barner, who recently won a National Championship at Michigan.

Barner appeared in 15 games for the Wolverines this season, catching 22 passes for 249 yards and a touchdown. As a blocking tight end, he plays a position that isn’t significant on the stat sheet, but is critical in terms of wins and losses — and that’s all Barner cares about in the end.

“I’m here to win championships,” Barner stated on his inaugural conference call. “I love football and want to help the squad in any way I can. It’s an honor to visit a place like Seattle.

On Day 3 of the draft, top talent might be hard to come by. That’s why teams normally look for players that are passionate about football and winning, especially after the first three rounds. They are willing to go to any length to win football games, and this is typically the football team’s lifeblood.

The majority of NFL rosters are made up of players picked on Day 3, however not all players advance in their careers. Barner’s hope is that his winning mindset spreads throughout the club and that he makes significant contributions on offense, special teams, and off the field.

Before joining up with veterans like Noah Fant and Pharaoh Brown in OTAs next month, Barner and the rest of the Seahawks’ incoming 2024 class will begin their offseason voyage with rookie minicamp next weekend.