Linebackers Ernest Jones IV, Drake Thomas Lead Three Takeaway Effort For Seahawks Defense

Seahawks linebackers Ernest Jones IV and Drake Thomas both had strong performances in the Seahawks’ Week 4 win over the Chargers.

Oct 04, 2026 at 07:46 PM

Seahawks.com Senior Reporter

With the game on the line and the Seahawks needing a stop, it was outside linebackers Uchenna Nwosu and Derick Hall teaming up for the game-clinching play. In the final minutes of an eventual 30-23 win, Nwosu sacked Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, forcing a fumble that Hall recovered, giving the ball back to the offense to kneel out the clock.

But while those two outside linebackers made the game-sealing play, it was inside linebackers Ernest Jones IV and Drake Thomas who provided a lot of the highlights throughout a victory that improved Seattle's record to 3-1.

Thomas, whose first career interception came last season in Seattle's NFC West-clinching win over the 49ers, got his second on the game's first play from scrimmage, dropping into a passing lane over the middle before tipping a Herbert pass into the air and securing the ball for an interception.

In the second quarter, Jones, who last season led the Seahawks with five interceptions, found himself in the right place at the right time when a Herbert pass came his way. Jones returned the interception 20 yards, giving the offense a short field it turned into a touchdown.

Jones, who led the Seahawks with 12 tackles, also had a sack, his first of the season. Thomas, meanwhile, added five tackles, a quarterback hit and one tackle for loss, making Jones and Thomas two of seven Seahawks to record a tackle for loss.

As Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald noted, Thomas' great play since he took over a starting role last season sometimes makes for tough decisions for the coaching staff. Given Nick Emmanwori's unique talents, the Seahawks can use dime packages (six defensive backs with one off-ball linebacker) more than most teams because they trust defensive backs like Emmanwori and Devon Witherspoon to be physical against the run.

"Those guys are playing really good football," Macdonald said. "It's something as a staff we have to do a great job of, because Drake deserves to play and so does Nick and so does Nehemiah (Pritchett) and so does Trevon Diggs. We have a lot of good players that we want to get on the field."

After the Seahawks failed to record a takeaway in last week's loss, that was a big emphasis this week, and the Seahawks were able to make that happen with two interceptions and one forced fumble, as well as a turnover on special teams when the Chargers muffed a punt that was recovered by Connor O'Toole.

"We made an emphasis on taking the ball away, and it came to life this week," Thomas said.

On his pick, Thomas was a bit surprised when the ball came to him because he couldn't see Herbert behind the line of scrimmage.

"It kind of popped up out of nowhere," he said. "I feel like he probably didn't see me, because I didn't see him. He's behind the line; those guys are big, but it popped up. I came right to me, I tried to make a play on it, and I was able to come down with it."

Said Jones: "I told (Thomas) that we both had picks today. Pretty solid day. Some things that we'll clean up, but I was happy for him. Happy he was able to get his hand on the ball and come down with it. Same for me. We've been stacking four good games, so we just have to keep getting better, keep leading that defense."