A former key member of the Seattle Seahawks has found a new team just days before the divisional round of the NFL playoffs begin. The ex-Seahawks second-round pick is joining his fourth team since entering the league in the 2020 NFL draft.
Seattle selected pass rusher Darrell Taylor in the second round with the No. 48 overall pick in 2020. Taylor’s tenure in the Pacific Northwest got off to a bumpy start after missing his entire rookie season with an injury.
The defender would go on to show flashes during his time in Seattle but was not quite able to live up to the lofty expectations that accompany being a second-round pick. Taylor signed with the New England Patriots days before the team’s NFL playoff matchup against the Houston Texans.
It just so happens that Taylor played four games for the Texans this season before being released by the team on January 12, 2026. Days later, he signed with the Patriots and will potentially play against his former team.
“The Patriots are bringing in some pass-rush help, signing former Texans DE Darrell Taylor to their practice squad with the strong possibility of elevating him for the playoffs,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport detailed in a January 14, message on X. “Taylor was waived by Houston this week.”
Here’s what you need to know about the latest NFL news ahead of the divisional round.
The Seahawks Traded Darrell Taylor to the Bears in 2024
Taylor’s best season of his career came with the Seahawks in 2022 with the defender posting a career-high 9.5 sacks, 13 quarterback hits, eight tackles for loss and 26 tackles in 16 appearances, including three starts. Ultimately, Seattle opted to trade Taylor to the Chicago Bears ahead of the 2024 season as the defender entered the final year of a four-year, $6.7 million rookie contract.
The Seahawks landed a 2025 sixth-round pick from the Bears in exchange for Taylor. With both the Bears and Texans, Taylor struggled to display the same production he did with Seattle.
The Patriots Signed Darrell Taylor Before Facing the Texans, Days After Houston Cut the Vet Amid the NFL Playoffs
Despite Taylor’s inconsistent production, the move still makes a ton of sense for the Patriots. Taylor is 28 years old and could have some quality football remaining in his career.
The Patriots are not signing Taylor to a lucrative contract, meaning this is a low-risk move for New England. It also does not hurt that Taylor was just released by the Texans and has knowledge of the team New England is about to face in an elimination game.
49ers vs. Seahawks: LT Charles Cross & TE Elijah Arroyo Are Both Trending Towards Playing in the Divisional Round
As for the Seahawks, there have been no major roster moves for the team ahead of the upcoming showdown against the San Francisco 49ers. Franchise left tackle Charles Cross was a full participant in the team’s January 13, practice.
Rookie tight end Elijah Arroyo was also a full participant. Both players have been sidelined for multiple weeks with injuries and appear to be trending towards playing against the Niners.
One thing worth monitoring is star pass rusher DeMarcus Lawrence’s status as the defender was listed on the injury report as a limited participant with an Achilles injury.
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