Jared Goff and Marvin Jones Jr. highlighted the performances of former California football players in the NFL during the opening week of the 2023 season when they helped Detroit to a 21-20 road win against defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City last Thursday. The other most notable occurrences during Week 1 games included a season-ending injury to quarterback Aaron Rodgers just four plays into his first season with the New York Jets and the NFL debut of 25-year-old Miami linebacker Cameron Goode after six seasons with the Golden Bears (2016-21) and another with the Dolphins' practice squad (2022).

The four were among 25 former Cal players affiliated with NFL teams heading into the 2023 season including 14 on active rosters, eight on coaching staffs, two on injured reserve lists and one on a practice squad.

Below is how each fared in NFL Week 1 action and their Week 2 matchup.
 
Keenan Allen – WR (Los Angeles Chargers, 0-1)
– Allen started at wide receiver and led the Chargers with six receptions and 76 yards receiving, while adding two rushes for six yards in a 36-34 home loss to the Dolphins.
Week 2 (Sunday, September 17, 10 am PT, CBS): at Tennessee (0-1)
 
Bryan Anger – P (Dallas, 1-0)
– Anger punted three times for 146 yards (48.7 avg, 39.7 net average) in the Cowboys 40-0 win at the New York Giants. He was also the holder on two successful field and goals and four PAT.
Week 2 (Sunday, September 17, 1:25 pm PT, CBS): vs. New York Jets (1-0)
 
Christopher Brooks – RB (Miami, 1-0)
– Brooks made his NFL debut but had no stats other than participation in the Dolphins' 36-34 road win at the Los Angeles Chargers.
Week 2 (Sunday, September 17, 10 am PT, CBS): at New England (0-1)
 
Camryn Bynum – S (Minnesota, 0-1)
– Bynum started at safety and had a team-high 10 tackles in Minnesota's 20-17 home loss to Tampa Bay.
Week 2 (Thursday, September 14, 5:15 pm PT, Prime Video): at Philadelphia (1-0)
 
Austin Clark – Defensive Line Coach (Miami, 1-0)
– Clark and the Dolphins were 36-34 winners on the road at the Los Angeles Chargers.
Week 2 (Sunday, September 17, 10 am PT, CBS): at New England (0-1)
 
Jake Curhan – OT (Seattle, 0-1)
– Curhan played off the bench in a 30-13 home loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Week 2 (Sunday, September 17, 10 am PT, FOX): at Detroit (1-0)
 
Ashtyn Davis – S (New York Jets, 1-0)
– Davis played primarily on special teams but had no stats other than participation in the Jets' 22-16 home overtime win against the Bills.
Week 2 (Sunday, September 17, 1:25 pm PT, CBS): at Dallas (1-0)
 
Matt Giordano – Defensive Assistant (New Orleans, 1-0)
– Giordano and the Saints were 16-15 home winners over Tennessee.
Week 2 (Monday, September 18, 4:15 pm PT, ESPN/ESPN Deportes): at Carolina (0-1)
 
Jared Goff – QB (Detroit, 1-0)
– Goff started at quarterback and completed 22-of-35 passes for 253 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions to help Detroit to a 21-20 road win at defending Super Bowl champ Kansas City.
Week 2 (Sunday, September 17, 10 am PT, FOX): vs. Seattle (0-1)
 
Cameron Goode – LB (Miami, 1-0)
– Goode made his NFL debut but had no stats other than participation in the Dolphins' 36-34 road win at the Los Angeles Chargers.
Week 2 (Sunday, September 17, 10 am PT, CBS): at New England (0-1)
 
Jaylinn Hawkins – S (Atlanta, 1-0)
– Hawkins played but had no stats other than participation in the Falcons' 24-10 home win over the Panthers.
Week 2 (Sunday, September 17, 10 am PT, FOX): vs. Green Bay (1-0)
 
Elijah Hicks – S (Chicago, 0-1)
– Hicks played but had no stats other than participation in the Bears' 38-20 home loss to the Packers.
Week 2 (Sunday, September 17, 10 am PT, FOX): at Tampa Bay (1-0)
 
Marvin Jones Jr. – WR (Detroit, 1-0)
– Jones Jr. returned for his second stint in Detroit and started at wide receiver, picking up a pair of catches for eight yards to help the Lions to a 21-20 road win at defending Super Bowl champ Kansas City.
Week 2 (Sunday, September 17, 10 am PT, FOX): vs. Seattle (0-1)
 
Cameron Jordan – DE (New Orleans, 1-0)
– Jordan was disruptive with five tackles, 0.5 sacks, two pass defenses and a quarterback hurry in a 16-15 home win over the Titans.
Week 2 (Monday, September 18, 4:15 pm PT, ESPN/ESPN Deportes): at Carolina (0-1)
 
Jordan Kunaczyk – LB (Cleveland, 1-0) … Injured Reserve
– The Browns were 24-3 winners at home against the Bengals.
Week 2 (Monday, September 18, 5:15 pm PT, ABC, ESPN+): at Pittsburgh (0-1)
 
Patrick Laird – RB (Tampa Bay, 1-0) … Practice Squad
– The Buccaneers were 20-17 winners over the Vikings on the road.
Week 2 (Sunday, September 17, 10 am PT, FOX): vs. Chicago (0-1)
 
Patrick Mekari – G (Baltimore, 1-0)
– Mekari played but had no stats other than participation in the Ravens' 25-9 home win over the Texans.
Week 2 (Sunday, September 17, 10 am PT, CBS): at Cincinnati (0-1)
 
Ron Rivera – Head Coach (Washington)
– Rivera and the Commanders were 20-16 home winners over the Cardinals.
Week 2 (Sunday, September 17, 1:25 pm PT, CBS): at Denver (0-1)
 
Vincent Rivera – Assistant Linebackers Coach (Washington)
– Rivera and the Commanders were 20-16 home winners over the Cardinals.
Week 2 (Sunday, September 17, 1:25 pm PT, CBS): at Denver (0-1)
 
Nikko Remigio – WR (Kansas City) … Injured Reserve
– The defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs were 21-20 losers at home to the Lions.
Week 2 (Sunday, September 17, 10 am PT, CBS): at Jacksonville (0-1)
 
Aaron Rodgers – QB (New York Jets, 1-0) … Injured Reserve
– Rodgers suffered a season-ending injury on just the fourth play of his Jets career when he was sacked and tore his Achilles tendon in a game the Jets eventually won in overtime, 22-16.
Week 2 (Sunday, September 17, 1:25 pm PT, CBS): at Dallas (1-0)
 
Richard Rodgers Sr. – Senior Defensive Assistant/Safeties Coach (Washington)
– Rivera and the Commanders were 20-16 home winners over the Cardinals.
Week 2 (Sunday, September 17, 1:25 pm PT, CBS): at Denver (0-1)
 
Bryon Storer – Assistant Special Teams Coach (Green Bay, 1-0)
– Storer and the Packers were a 38-20 winner at the Bears.
Week 2 (Sunday, September 17, 10 am PT, FOX): at Atlanta (1-0)
 
Bert Watts – Safeties Coach (Carolina, 0-1)
– Watts and the Panthers fell 24-10 at the Falcons.
Week 2 (Sunday, September 17, 10 am PT, CBS): at Tennessee (0-1)
 
Davis Webb – Quarterbacks Coach (Denver, 0-1)
– Webb and the Broncos dropped a 17-16 home contest to the Raiders.
Week 2 (Sunday, September 17, 10 am PT, CBS): at Tennessee (0-1)