​Reworded piece: ESPN has highlighted a rising Seahawks talent, calling him a “discount George Kittle” and earmarking him as the team’s breakout candidate for the year, a point originally published by The Sporting News. The Sporting News is noted as a preferred source by simply clicking here. The Seattle Seahawks claimed Super Bowl 60 by defeating the San Francisco 49ers, the Los Angeles Rams, and the New England Patriots on their path to NFL glory. While much of the season and the big game focused on the defense, and while Kenneth Walker III, Sam Darnold, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba received their due for standout performances, another player earned commendation that deserves recognition.
That player is 24-year-old AJ Barner, the Seahawks’ right end who ESPN’s Ben Solak has praised as a “discount George Kittle” and identified as Seattle’s breakout candidate for the upcoming year. Solak wrote that the team managed to navigate their Super Bowl run without properly naming Barner for what he truly is: a rising, top-10 tight end. “… Barner really is a discount George Kittle …” the analyst noted. The comparison to Kittle—one of the NFL’s best tight ends despite playing for the division-rival 49ers—should give Seahawks fans reason to be optimistic about Barner’s trajectory.
Barner, selected in the fourth round as the 121st pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, had a notably productive 2025 season for the reigning champions. He posted 52 receptions for 519 yards and six touchdowns, and he added 10 rushing attempts for 14 yards and a rushing touchdown, contributing nine first downs as Seattle’s go-to option in their “tush-push” package. In the postseason, Barner hauled in six of seven targets for 67 yards and a touchdown, including a four-catch, 54-yard, and TD performance in the Super Bowl itself. But his value extends beyond the stat sheet: Barner is a well-rounded tight end who can both contribute as a receiver and provide solid blocking in the run game, making him a versatile asset for Seattle.
Solak’s projection frames Barner as Seattle’s breakout star for 2026, describing him as a “discount George Kittle”—a comparison that resonates with Seahawks fans eager to see a breakout year from the 24-year-old in what would be his third NFL season. If head coach Brian Fleury leans more on Barner in the passing game, Solak suggests Barner could climb into the upper tier of tight ends, a group that features some of the league’s most dangerous athletes at the position. This emphasis on Barner’s two-way impact—receiving ability complemented by effective run-blocking—highlights why he’s viewed as such a valuable asset for Seattle’s offense.
The surrounding context includes Seattle’s continued roster evaluation as they look toward building a more complete offensive attack. ESPN’s 2026 roster rankings place the Seahawks near the top in part due to players like Barner who can contribute in multiple facets of the game. While the spotlight often falls on bigger names and higher-profile stars, Barner’s emergence represents the type of development that can catalyze a team’s ascent from good to elite.
In summary, ESPN has pegged AJ Barner as a breakout candidate for 2026 and has labeled him a “discount George Kittle,” a comparison that underscores his potential to become one of the game’s premier tight ends. Barner’s 2025 performance established him as a credible threat in both the passing game and in run-blocking, and Solak’s assessment signals that the Seahawks may lean on him even more as they pursue continued success in the coming season. As Seattle moves forward, the combination of Barner’s receiving skills and blocking prowess could help push the offense to new heights, making him a player to watch closely in 2026 and beyond.