Several former Wisconsin linebackers erupted during Week 1 of the 2024 NFL slate this past weekend.
Among the stars were Kansas City Chiefs LB Leo Chenal, Chicago Bears ILB T.J. Edwards, Philadelphia Eagles ILB Zack Baun, Minnesota Vikings OLB Andrew Van Ginkel and Pittsburgh Steelers OLB T.J. Watt.
Each playmaker was a handful for the offenses they lined up against. Watt and Baun even clinched their squads’ opening weekend victories with game-ending sacks in the final sequence of their respective contests.
While many members of the Badger faithful are accustomed to witnessing Watt decimate his adversaries regularly, Wisconsin fans were able to observe some spectacular performances from other UW alumni who don’t receive the same type of attention.
Baun, who recorded just 30 total tackles a season ago with the New Orleans Saints, registered 15 tackles, two sacks and a tackle for loss in the Eagles’ 34-29 victory over the Green Bay Packers in Sao Paolo, Brazil.
Edwards also showed out for the entire Week 1 window. He led Chicago with 15 tackles and recovered a Will Levis fumble to help the Bears shift momentum against the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field.
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Van Ginkel, who made his Vikings debut on Sunday, intercepted a Daniel Jones’ pass and took it to the house for six points en route to a blowout victory over the New York Giants. And that’s just to name a few highlights.
While notorious for producing high end offensive linemen and running backs, UW also knows a thing or two about developing linebackers. Eight former Wisconsin linebackers currently play in the NFL, six of whom figure to serve as defensive staples for their crews this season.