No Gateway Connection

[doesntremindm3]

I'm setting up opnsense for the first time and I'm not sure I'm using it correctly.

The goal is to have a private network for "secure" devices (security cameras, file server) behind this opnsense firewall so only "privileged" LAN devices connected to the VPN in the opnsense can get to them and so traffic is encrypted on the LAN.

                                           <opnsense firewall> Secure devices
<Internet> --- <DD-WRT router> ---- LAN <
                                           LAN devices (xbox, friends cell phones on wifi with DHCP)
 
I have the opnsense LAN configured to use 192.168.2.1/24.  That works.  I can connect to the web interface with my 1 LAN device (this is just testing, more devices will be added).
I would like the opnsense WAN to use 192.168.1.33/24 and gateway 192.168.1.1 (DD-WRT router).  I've configured it as such (it is set not to block local IP addresses on all ports).  I cannot ping 192.168.1.33 from a LAN device and opnsense reports the gateway 192.168.1.1 as offline.  I've also attempted DHCP on WAN.
This does appear to be an atypical setup, but I believe it shouldn't be any different to the firewall.  Am I missing something?

[doesntremindm3]

I've done the basic hardware troubleshooting, I've tried different cables.  Ports light up and show activity.  It does not appear to get a DHCP address, but the WAN DCHP gateway shows Online.  The USB network card that is WAN is working in other computers.