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NFL FREE AGENCY doesn't officially start until Wednesday, but the negotiating period is underway and three former Washington State standouts — Jaylen Watson, Gardner Minshew and Jalen Thompson — have all found new homes.
Watson cashed in with a monster contract, agreeing to terms with the Los Angeles Rams, as first reported by ESPN, agreeing to a 3-year deal worth $54 million, including $34 million guaranteed.
Not a bad haul for a former seventh rounder who was working at Wendy's just seven years ago before coming to Washington State. He will reunite in L.A. with former Kansas City teammate and UW player Trent McDuffie, who was traded to the Rams last week.
Watson was a cornerstone of the Kansas City Chiefs defense in his first year as a full time starter, setting career highs in interceptions and tackles in his young NFL career. In 15 starts, he made 64 tackles, with three for loss, two quarterback hits, two interceptions and six pass breakups.
Across his four-year career with the Chiefs, Watson appeared in 53 games with 29 starts and has recorded 178 tackles with three interceptions, including a 99-yard pick six in his rookie year. He also has eight tackles for loss and four sacks.
But where Watson has been lethal is the playoffs. A two-time Super Bowl champ, he has two playoff interceptions along with six pass breakups, a fumble recovery, and 39 tackles.
The many Coug fans who also double as Seahawk fans will now see Watson twice a year now on a rival NFC West team.
THE LEGACY OF the 'stache continues, as Minshew agreed to a one-year deal worth $8.25 million with the Cardinals, according to ESPN. Minshew was injured late in the season while playing for Kansas City, but did not tear his ACL as originally feared.
The veteran QB now joins his sixth team.
Across a seven-year career, Minshew has appeared in 63 games, making 47 starts. He is 17-30 as a starter, alth0ugh most of those losses came from two seasons with horrendous Jacksonville and Las Vegas squads. He's completed 1,100 of 1,742 attempts (63.1 percent) for 11,987 yards, 68 touchdowns and 35 interceptions.
He'll likely have a chance to at least battle for the starting job, with Arizona releasing QB Kyler Murray.
MEANWHILE, THOMPSON IS also headed elsewhere, with the safety ending a seven-year tenure with the Cardinals. Taken in the 2019 NFL Supplemental Draft, Thompson appeared in 99 games, making 87 starts. He emerged as one of the best tacklers in the league, recording 578 across his career and missing just 43, according to Pro Football Focus.
Thompson has nine interceptions with 37 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, 14 tackles for loss and four sacks in his NFL career.
But now he's headed to the Cowboys, per NFL.com, agreeing to a three-year deal worth $36 million and a cool $12 million per year.
He's still only 27, so Thompson may have another big contract in his future once this one wraps up, presuming his consistent play continues.
Related: WSU spring football preview: Three-man battle to begin for QB1
DT Daniel Ekuale is also a free agent but as of press time, he had not been linked to anyone.
Injuries limited Ekuale to seven games with Pittsburgh last year, but he's proven to be a reliable rotational piece on the defensive line.
Jaylen Watson (Photo: USAToday/Biggerstaff)