Seahawks tight end AJ Barner has been present throughout the team's offseason workout program, but is on yet taking part in on-field work with his teammates.
That's because Barner is still in rehab mode after having two surgeries a week after the Seahawks celebrated their Super Bowl LX win with a parade through downtown Seattle. Barner fully expects to be ready for training camp, however, and when Barner is back in action, he should feel a lot better than he did while playing through multiple injuries last season.
"I'm feeling good," Barner said. "Obviously as Coach Mike said, I had the things."
Barner was referring to Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald's intentionally vague answer a week earlier when talking about the tight end's health, saying, "he had the things in the offseason, but he's attacking it like AJ Barner does and as you would expect."
Barner didn't specify what surgeries he had, but there are plenty of injuries to choose from based off last season's injury reports. Starting in Week 10, Barner was on the injury report for seven out of 10 weeks leading up to Seattle's divisional round win over the 49ers, listed at various points with hip, elbow, shoulder, knee, ankle and calf injuries. Despite all of that, Barner started all 20 games, postseason included, while emerging as a key player and leader for Seattle's offense.
"Y'all saw what it was during the season," Barner said. "It's stuff that I've been dealing with, honestly for my whole pro career. I'm somebody that, no matter how I'm feeling, I'm going to play, just like a lot of other guys in our locker room. So I'm definitely feeling better, it's definitely still a process to get back out there, but by the time training camp rolls around, I'm going to be ready to go."
Barner said the injuries affected his ability to prepare for games because of missed time in practice more than his performance on gameday, and is now looking forward to seeing what he can do with a healthier body.
"I'm going to feel much better, and I'm already feeling much better, and I think that's where I'll see strides," he said. "I'm feeling good, and I'm chomping at the bit trying to get back out there."
In his second season in the NFL, the former fourth-round pick out of Michigan emerged as one of the league's best young tight ends, recording 52 receptions for 519 yards and six touchdowns in the regular season, then he punctuated that impressive sophomore campaign with four catches for 54 yards in the Super Bowl, including the game's first touchdown, a 16-yard catch earlier in the fourth quarter that helped blow the game open.
But as well as he played in Year 2, Barner expects even more out of himself going forward.
"Definitely better, way better," he said. "I expect myself to be one of the best tight ends in the league, and I think I've played up to that standard, not consistently maybe throughout the whole season, but definitely have done that. I hold myself to a high standard, and the goal is to win championships and play in big games, and also bring that same mindset to training camp when I'm back out there with the guys. That's how I'm feeling. I think I can take it to another level, and I think it's going to make my job hopefully easier and my process leading up to gameday that much easier."
For Barner, talking about those lofty goals isn't so much about the recognition that would come with becoming one of the league's best tight ends, but rather the process it takes to become that level of player.
"I just have an obsession with football, and I've had it since I was young," Barner said. "I think I really want to be special at doing my job, that's really what it comes down to. It's really not that goal (earning All-Pro honors); it's more so, if I do my job every time and do it to the best of my ability and make a bunch of plays, they're going to have to do it. Up to this point in my career, I've really had to grind for everything that I've got... I'm just focused on the processes of each day to get to that point."
The Seahawks held their fifth practice of OTAs on Wednesday, June 3 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Julian Neal (1) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Bud Clark (9) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Logan Brown (73) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) and quarterback Sam Darnold (14) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) and wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (84) and cornerback Julian Neal (1) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Julian Neal (1) and wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (84) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks fullback Brady Russell (38) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks fullback Robbie Ouzts (40) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (33) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Irv Charles (85) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Michael Dansby (37) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety AJ Finley (30) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles (34) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Bud Clark (9) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Maxen Hook (43) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety D'Anthony Bell (23) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashad Rochelle (35) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (17) and cornerback Michael Dansby (37) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (32) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) and linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Brandon Pili (95) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Emanuel Wilson (27) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Jamie Sheriff (50)on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris (94) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Jared Ivey (51) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Jared Ivey (51) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (17) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) and running back Jadarian Price (8) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. (56) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jacardia Wright (31) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford (75) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76) and defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashad Rochelle (35) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3), cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) and cornerback Josh Jobe (29) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Jalen Sundell (61) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Logan Brown (73) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (84) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashad Rochelle (35) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25) and running back Jacardia Wright (31) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashad Rochelle (35) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Bud Clark (9) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles (34) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. (56) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. (56) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. (56) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks offensive coordinator Brian Fleury on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Chris Paul Jr. (49) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Bud Clark (9) and safety Julian Love (20) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Jalen Sundell (61) and guard Grey Zabel (76) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) and punter Michael Dickson (4) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) and guard Grey Zabel (76) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) and linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) on day five of OTAs at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
