3 former Seahawks who thrived in Week 1 (and one who struggled)

The Seattle Seahawks began their season with a win over a bad team, the Denver Broncos. That was a great way to start Mike Macdonald's time with Seattle. But more than just the (mostly) new coaching staff, Seattle has a lot of new players playing key roles as well.

Some of the players who left the Seahawks this offseason to help make room for the new guys had fine debuts with their new teams, though. One might have even filled a role with Seattle this season, but he never played the position he does now while he was with the Seahawks.

One player not on the list below but who began his time with his new team with a thud is Russell Wilson. Wilson is now with the Pittsburgh Steelers after washing out with the Broncos after two seasons. Wilson was unable to play for Pittsburgh in Week 1 because of a calf issue.

Three former Seahawks who did well with their new teams in Week 1 (and one who didn't)

Arizona Cardinals kick returner DeeJay Dallas thrived

Dallas was a good punt and kick returner for Seattle in 2023 and he could break off a long return from time to time, but he never came close to scoring a touchdown. After Week 1, Seattle might be wishing they had been able to hold onto Dallas as RB3 and had him be the main kick and punt returner, however. Arizona gave Dallas more money in free agency this offseason than the Seahawks would have, but still.

Dallas had a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in Arizona's season opener against the Buffalo Bills and he averaged 41 yards a return on three kickoff returns. That was the highest average in the NFL in the first set of games with the league's new kickoff returns. Dallas might not get a lot of carries this season, but he should be a weapon in the third phase of the game.

Chicago Bears edge rusher Darrell Taylor had a fantastic game

Maybe Taylor was just a terrible fit in Seattle's defense. In three seasons with the Seahawks, he was an inconsistent pass-rushing threat and terrible against the run. That completely changed in his first game for the Bears, though. Taylor was seemingly everywhere and even played the run somewhat well.

He finished with two sacks and three total pressures, and he was in on eight tackles. He also did not whiff on a tackle attempt. Maybe Taylor would have been fine in head coach Mike Macdonald's scheme, but we will never know now.

Washington Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner had some issues

Wagner led the Commanders in tackles and he also had three tackles for loss, but he also did one thing he does not normally do. He whiffed on 18.2 percent of his tackle attempts. Yet, he did another negative bit that he often does and that is that he was bad in coverage. He gave up completions every time he was targeted and allowed 71 yards after the catch.

He also had just one quarterback pressure. While he was inconsistent in that facet with the Seahawks, one might wonder if his explosiveness is beginning to wane. He will always be great against the run, but in Week 1 he showed why he would have been a bad fit in the Seahawks' new defense.

Arizona Cardinals center Evan Brown enjoyed his new position

Brown played center last year for Seattle and after the first couple of games, he was fairly terrible and gave up multiple pressures in nearly every game. He did have experience at left guard before coming to Seattle, but the Seahawks needed a center.

Brown signed with the Cardinals as a free agent this past offseason and Arizona moved him back to left guard. In Week 1, he was a success as he allowed just one quarterback pressure in 38 pass-block snaps and was excellent at run-blocking. There is no guarantee Brown will continue to be good, but he got off to a great start with his new team.

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