Tag: Pro Dawgs

Former Washington Huskies tight end Drew Sample signed a three-year, $10.5 million contract extension on Monday to stay with the Cincinnati Bengals. The native of Bellevue, Washington has spent his entire career in Cincinnati after the organization took him in the second round in the 2019 NFL draft.

During Sample’s time on Montlake, he played in 51 games totaling 46 receptions for 487 yards and 5 touchdowns while earning an All-Pac-12 honorable mention following his senior season.

The 6-foot-5, 256-pound tight end has been a solid contributor to head coach Zac Taylor’s blocking scheme. While he didn’t see the field much during his rookie season, he had his best year in 2020 where he recorded 40 receptions for 349 yards and a touchdown during quarterback Joe Burrow’s first season.

After a heartbreaking loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl to end the 2021 season, Sample didn’t see much of 2022 following a knee injury in week two against the Dallas Cowboys that ended his season prematurely.

Before the start of the 2023 season, he signed a one-year extension worth $1.2 million and quickly became the Bengals’ top tight end after Irv Smith Jr. was lost for the year. He also became a reliable safety valve for former Husky quarterback Jake Browning, who assumed the starting role after Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist injury.

Sample’s ability as a blocker could fit well new offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher’s plans, which seems to be signified by the team’s investment in him through 2026, and his stat line could benefit from Burrow’s return.

Former Washington Huskies safety Taylor Rapp signed a three year extension with the Buffalo Bills on Wednesday, worth up to $14.5 million. The three year starter with the Huskies was taken 61st overall by the Los Angeles Rams in 2019 and was part of coach Sean McVay’s 2021 Super Bowl winning team.

Rapp signed with Buffalo in March 2023 on a one year deal after spending four seasons with McVay and the Rams where he had some great moments, such as forcing a fumble of former Husky teammate running back Myles Gaskin in a 2020 game against the Miami Dolphins.

Last season was one of many successes and one very scary moment for Rapp, when he was hit by the New York Jets running back Breece Hall in week 11. He was taken by ambulance off of the field and avoided going to the hospital and treated for a neck injury in the locker room by the medical staff.

He returned to play against the Kansas City Chiefs on December 10 in a 20-17 victory for the Bills. After the injury, he finished the season strong allowing just 9 catches on 17 targets for 139 yards and 1 touchdown. He allowed a passer rating of 75.4, which was better than veteran safeties Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, which probably cemented his new deal and possible starting role in coach Sean McDermott’s secondary next season.

Rapp finished out the season with an interception of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with a little over a minute left in the fourth quarter, clinching the win and AFC East title for Buffalo to send them to the postseason.

It seems that the former Husky has earned his way to his big contract and has made himself a valuable piece of newly hired defensive coordinator Bobby Babich’s scheme for the 2024 season in Buffalo.

As the NFL’s salary cap compliance deadline on March 13 approaches, many teams have made some surprising cuts, including the Seattle Seahawks, who let go of former Washington Huskies tight end Will Dissly on Tuesday. The Bozeman, Montana native was drafted by the Seahawks in the 4th round and spent six years in Seattle, signing a three-year, $24 million extension in 2022.

As a free agent, Dissly should have plenty of suitors, with one potential landing spot being the Los Angeles Chargers. Coach Jim Harbaugh’s team has a huge need at the position, with the oft-injured Gerald Everett and former XFL star Donald Parham Jr. combining for a meager 696 yards last season.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are also in need of another weapon for quarterback Trevor Lawrence and some depth behind tight end Evan Engram. Dissly would fit nicely into that second slot, replacing Luke Farrell, who had just 13 receptions for 155 yards in 2023.

However, the best fit for Dissly might be the Baltimore Ravens. He could shine playing alongside Mark Andrews in an offense that is built around a run game and short passing. Dissly could help as a run blocker while Andrews and Isaiah Likely handle the majority of the receiving work at the position.


With tight end being such a need for many teams across the league, it shouldn’t take long for Dissly to find a new home.

On Tuesday, the Seattle Seahawks released former Washington Huskies tight end Will Dissly, along with safeties Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs to save money against the salary cap. Dissly was in the final season of a three-year, $24 million extension he signed before the 2022 season and will cost the Seahawks just $3 million against the cap according to Spotrac.

After being selected in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL draft, Dissly struggled with injuries in his first two professional seasons before becoming a mainstay in the Seahawks lineup. He started 65 of the 72 games he appeared in over his six years with the Seahawks, pulling in 127 receptions for 1,421 yards and 13 touchdowns.

He was also an excellent run blocker for the Seahawks, just like his time under position coach Jordan Paopao on the other side of Seattle. After playing defensive line in 2014 and 2015, Dissly transitioned to tight end before Washington’s run to the College Football Playoff and Peach Bowl in 2016.

The #Seahawks are also releasing veteran TE Will Dissly, per source.

Seattle saves $7 million in cash and salary cap space, while Dissly — who has 13 career TDs — hits the market at age 27. pic.twitter.com/ZLurUNi3Fn

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 5, 2024

During his two season on the offensive side of the ball, Dissly reeled in 25 catches for 336 yards and 3 touchdowns before heading off to the draft. He should have plenty of suitors when free agency opens on March 13, with the New England Patriots, Washington Commanders, and Los Angeles Chargers among the teams that have a need at tight end.