When the NFL’s 2026 free agency window officially opens at 1 p.m. PST today, hundreds of players with NFL experience will be allowed to sign contracts with the teams of their choice. This year’s class of impending free agents includes nine former Washington alumni, including seven who were part of the Huskies’ playoff run in 2016. Here’s the outlook for each former Husky entering free agency:
Jake Browning - Quarterback, 2015-2018
Browning, who earned Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year honors as Washington’s quarterback in 2016, was informed by the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday that he would not be tendered. However, the Bengals are open to bringing him back via free agency, which isn’t a surprise considering he’s made 10 starts in the last three years as a backup. Browning turns 30 next month, but he’s got years left in the tank as a capable and experienced backup.
Dante Pettis - Receiver, 2014-2017
College football’s all-time leader in punt return touchdowns (9) is looking to field a new contract after spending the last two years with the New Orleans Saints. He’s 30 years old and isn’t likely to get first-string looks at receiver, but he’s a solid depth piece with special teams upside. He fielded 20 punts and 18 kickoffs across two years with the Saints and could be a nice cheap option for a team in need of support.
Myles Gaskin - Running back, 2015-2018
Gaskin will receive a Super Bowl ring this offseason thanks to a brief stint with the Seattle Seahawks, who signed him to the practice squad in October, promoted him to the active roster for one game in November, and cut him in December. He turned 29 last month, so he’s not too old for another contract, but he’s got just five rushing yards in his last five years. Gaskin’s immortalized as Washington’s all-time leader in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, total touchdowns, and more, but his days as a professional may be done.
Will Dissly - Tight end, 2014-2017
Dissly stayed in Seattle for six years after leaving the Huskies as a Seahawk, and then signed a three-year deal for $14M with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024. However, Dissly was limited by injury in 2025, and he finished with 11 catches for just 97 yards. Last week saw the Chargers release him with a failed physical designation and one year remaining on his deal in order to save $4M in cap space. Dissly has never been a dynamic receiving threat, and he turns 30 in July, but if he can stay healthy, he’s likely to find a home somewhere else due to his blocking ability and experience.
Nick Harris - Center, 2016-2019
Harris was not re-signed following a one-year stint with the Washington Commanders in 2025. Fortunately, the former two-time first-team All-Pac-12 honoree could be an appealing pickup as a depth piece. He’s only got six career starts, but he’s played in 45 games, and he’ll turn just 28 years young in November.
Greg Gaines - Defensive tackle, 2014-2018
If the third time is truly the charm, then we’ve seen the end of Gaines’ time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who signed the defensive tackle to three consecutive one-year deals in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Gaines turns 30 in May, and he’s coming off a year of poor Pro Football Focus grades, but there’s a chance he lands toward the bottom of the depth chart or on a practice squad in 2026.
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka - Defensive end, 2017-2020
Tryon-Shoyinka was a former first-round pick (No. 32 overall) in 2021, and was signed to a one-year deal by the Cleveland Browns in 2025 after four solid years with the Buccaneers. However, he was unable to secure a sack in eight games with the Browns, who traded him midseason to bolster an injury-hindered Chicago Bears defensive line. After eight more games as a Bear with no sacks, Tryon-Shoyinka is headed to free agency, but he’ll turn just 27 in March and could still attract attention as a rotational piece with potential first-round upside.
Shaq Thompson - Linebacker (and running back), 2012-2014
Thompson, who wowed Husky fans with his two-way versatility in 2014, went on to have an excellent NFL career defined by 10 seasons with the Carolina Panthers. He went to the Buffalo Bills as a free agent last season, but is now set to leave in free agency after one year. Thompson may be turning 32 years old next month, but he’s still an effective coverage linebacker who was beloved in Carolina and earned appreciation from Bills fans with his play last season. He’s likely got at least one more year of rotational play in him, and he could be a depth piece and mentor for longer than that.
Taylor Rapp - Safety, 2016-2018
Rapp was traded by the Los Angeles Rams to the Bills in 2023, who extended his fifth-year option with a three-year deal meant to keep him in Buffalo through 2026. However, Rapp missed most of 2025 with a knee injury, and was officially released on Monday after he failed a physical. That move saves the Bills some cap, but it may benefit Rapp in the long run if he can get healthy this offseason. Rapp turned 28 in December and has the better part of seven years of starting experience. He’ll likely receive significant attention from other teams, as he could be a legitimate long-term solution at safety.
Former Huskies safety Taylor Rapp was released by the Bills today after a failed physical. He injured his knee in last year's training camp but played in six games before being placed on IR. He's 28 and could be a nice pickup for the Seahawks if he can get his knee right. https://t.co/vfivAzL0Aa
— Beck Parsons (@BeckParsons3) March 9, 2026