The Seattle Seahawks are going through big changes to their roster before the 2024 NFL season. Under new head coach Mike Macdonald, they have said goodbye to many players in free agency, including running back DeeJay Dallas.
Dallas, who was picked in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft by the Seahawks, has left to join the NFC West rival team, the Arizona Cardinals. After agreeing to a three-year, $8.25 million contract with incentives that could reach $10.5 million, Dallas wrote a short message on social media: Instagram.
“Metamorphosis 🦋,” he posted.
The Miami alum started two games in his rookie season when Chris Carson was injured, but those were the only times he started during his time in Seattle. In four years, Dallas had 112 rushing attempts for 468 yards and four touchdowns. He also had 61 receptions for 396 yards and one score.
With Kenneth Walker is now the team’s main running back, and with the addition of Zach Charbonnet in the 2023 NFL draft, Dallas moved further down the depth chart.
However, it’s unlikely Arizona signed Dallas for his offensive contributions. SI’s Corbin K. Smith wrote, “While the tough-running Dallas didn’t have many chances to show off in the run game, he became a reliable return specialist for the Seahawks.
“Last season, he finished in the top-10 in the NFL in kick return yardage (440) and yards per return (25.9) while also ranking in the top-10 in yards per punt return (10.6), receiving an All-Pro vote for his efforts at the end of the season.”
DeeJay Dallas Wrote a Goodbye Message to Seattle
Five days after the news came out that he was heading to the Cardinals, Dallas sent a goodbye message to the 12s.
“Appreciate these last 4 years Seattle,” the 25-year-old wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Thankful for all the friends/family I’ve made in the PNW over past couple of years. Excited for the future. I’ll be around #BirdGang 🌵.”
Speaking to reporters after signing his new deal, Dallas couldn’t stop smiling. Since he already lived in Arizona during the offseason, the move felt like coming back home for the veteran.
“It’s exciting. I kinda wanted this” Dallas said when asked about joining his former team’s rival. “You could tell it was a place that really on the up and up… so it’s kinda the right fit me for me.”
As for returning home, “Oh man, it’s perfect,” Dallas said. “I’ve got a baby on the way. So, everything, the stars just kinda aligned.”
Seahawks News: Seattle Is Set at Running Back in 2024
GettySeahawks running back Kenneth Walker III at State Farm Stadium on January 07, 2024.
While the Seahawks are making big changes to their defense, the offense is keeping most of its starting players. Going into the 2024 NFL season, Walker and Charbonnet are expected to remain the team’s main running backs, while Kenny McIntosh looks to make an impact.
McIntosh, Seattle’s seventh-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft, spent most of the year on injured reserve. The Georgia alum was sidelined after injuring his knee during the Seahawks’ simulated game last August. While former head coach Pete Carroll was very excited to see what McIntosh could do, Macdonald’s intentions for the second-year player are still unknown.
