Huskies Roar: Vea's $30M Deal Kicks Off a Busy Week for UW Alums

Well, what a week it's been for former University of Washington Huskies making waves in the NFL! When Coach Jedd Fisch talks about his "Be a Pro" mantra, you'd better believe these guys are living it – and some are getting seriously compensated for it, too. Case in point? Vita Vea.

This mountain of a man, the Buccaneers' defensive tackle, just reportedly inked a massive one-year, $30 million extension with Tampa Bay. Can you imagine that kind of payday? ESPN broke the news on August 19th, and honestly, it’s hard not to be thrilled for him. Vea, who hails from Milpitas, California, has been an absolute force, a 6-foot-4, 347-pound immovable object for eight seasons in Tampa. With 112 NFL games under his belt, 107 of them starts, and a hefty 256 career tackles, 48 tackles for loss, and 35 sacks, it's clear why the Bucs are willing to open their wallets. He’s even a two-time Pro-Bowl DT, which, let's be real, speaks volumes about his consistent dominance.

But it wasn't just Vea making headlines. His former Buccaneers teammate, Greg Gaines, also found a new home. This defensive lineman, weighing in at a stout 6-foot-1, 312-pounds, signed on with the Buffalo Bills. Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) from Twitter (or X, as we call it now) gave us the scoop on August 18th. Gaines, originally from La Habra, California, has put together quite a career himself, playing 108 NFL games with 34 starts over seven seasons. And don't forget, he was part of that Super Bowl LVI-winning Los Angeles Rams squad in 2021. So, he knows a thing or two about success.

Then we have Taylor Rapp, the safety. He’s headed to the Denver Broncos, a move also reported by Zenitz on August 20th. Rapp's journey has had its ups and downs; he spent three seasons with the Buffalo Bills, but his 2025 season was unfortunately cut short after just six games due to a knee injury. It’s tough when injuries strike, but it seems he’s bounced back and is ready for a fresh start. A former 2019 second-round draft pick out of Bellingham, Washington, Rapp boasts an impressive 93 NFL games, 72 career starts, 488 career tackles, and 12 career interceptions. He’ll be joining some familiar faces in Denver, too, linking up with fellow former Huskies Luke Wattenberg (center) and Jonah Coleman (running back). It's always nice to have some old teammates around, isn't it?

And speaking of careers, it’s worth noting that mid-week saw Myles Gaskin, another Husky alum, announce his retirement from the NFL. It’s a moment that always makes you reflect on the dedication and grit these athletes pour into their sport. From explosive plays to quiet goodbyes, the NFL journey is truly something else.

It's fascinating to see so many former UW players making their mark in the pros. Coach Fisch's influence is certainly felt, with 39 one-time UW players currently in training camps across the league, and a dozen of those having played under his direct guidance. It really underscores the depth of talent coming out of Montlake and the enduring legacy of "Be a Pro." What an incredible time to be a Husky fan!