The Seattle Seahawks have enjoyed a magical campaign in 2025, and they will be looking to end the season with a victory in Super Bowl LX against the New England Patriots. It certainly isn’t going to be easy, but the Seahawks have overcome every challenge thrown their way this year, which helps explain why they are the overwhelming favorite heading into this game.
As folks continue preparing for this game, it’s clear that there are several different important matchups and players that will likely determine the outcome. For Seattle, it has an overlooked tight end in AJ Barner, whose ability to help the team convert in short-yardage situations could play a major role in this game.
AJ Barner Identified as Seahawks’ Secret Weapon for Super Bowl LX
There have been a lot of reasons for the Seahawks’ sudden breakout campaign in 2025. Sam Darnold’s play under center is certainly one of them, as is the play of the defense, which has quietly become one of the top units in the league. However, Barner’s emergence on offense has helped out in more ways than one.
In his second season, Barner quickly turned himself into one of Darnold’s favorite targets in the passing game, as he caught 52 passes for 519 yards and six touchdowns. Barner has also helped popularize the Seahawks’ own version of the “Tush Push,” which is popularly referred to as the “Barnyard” in Seattle.
In short-yardage situations, Barner lines up under center and plows forward, with the play quickly becoming quite successful. He certainly isn’t the flashiest player on offense for the Seahawks, but the team’s ability to lean on this play when it needs to get a yard or two could play a major factor in the outcome of the Super Bowl.
“Barner has been one of the less-heralded factors in Seattle’s offensive success, adding seven touchdowns during a second-year breakout,” Brady Henderson wrote for ESPN. “One of those scores came via the ‘Barnyard,’ which has produced an additional 13 first downs with only one failed attempt. The play that Barner has helped execute to near perfection has turned short-yardage situations from a struggle for the Seahawks in 2024 to a strength in 2025.”
AJ Barner Looking to Help Seahawks Win Super Bowl LX
Olivia Vanni/GettySEATTLE, WASHINGTON – OCTOBER 05: AJ Barner #88 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts after a first down during the second quarter of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lumen Field on October 05, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Olivia Vanni/Getty Images)
Barner has been nearly unstoppable on his “Barnyard” runs, which will put even more pressure on the Patriots’ defense in this game. If the Seahawks get in one-yard situations, they have proven they can turn to Barner, and he will be able to pick up the necessary yardage. That’s a luxury not many teams have, and that includes New England.
There are certainly guys who should be expected to have bigger games than Barner, but every little detail will matter in this contest, which makes Barner a sneaky important player for Seattle. Barner will look to help his squad come out on top in this Super Bowl rematch, with kickoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 8.
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