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What Zack Martin’s contract means for Brandon Scherff and the Redskins

By Jacob Camenker

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 04: Offensive guard Brandon Scherff #75 of the Washington Redskins looks on during the fourth quarter of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 4, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Redskins 31-23. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 04: Offensive guard Brandon Scherff #75 of the Washington Redskins looks on during the fourth quarter of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 4, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Redskins 31-23. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 17: Outside Linebacker Preston Smith #94 of the Washington Redskins recovers a fumble in the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at FedEx Field on December 17, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 17: Outside Linebacker Preston Smith #94 of the Washington Redskins recovers a fumble in the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at FedEx Field on December 17, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

How this extension impacts the Redskins

The Redskins have a few players that are do for extensions soon in Scherff, Jamison Crowder, and Preston Smith. While Scherff has a fifth year option for 2019, both Crowder and Smith are scheduled to be free agents. And they are both players that the Redskins would probably like to retain.

Of that duo, the Redskins would probably prefer to keep Smith. The second round pick from 2015 has developed into a solid starter across from Ryan Kerrigan, and his athleticism is off the charts. He uses his length to get into opposing backfields and has quick twitch abilities that allow him to beat offensive tackles.

To re-sign Smith, the team will probably have to give him a contract that falls somewhere between $7-$9 million annually. And that’s if he doesn’t have a breakout year in 2018. If he reaches double digit sacks for the first time in his career (he has recorded eight sacks twice), then they could be forced to pay a lot more for Smith’s services. Versatile, athletic edge rushers are always in demand, so that could create competition for him on the open market.

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Meanwhile, Crowder has been an effective slot receiver for the Redskins, and has shown the ability to play on the outside at times. That said, he’s coming off a tough season, and will have to bounce back if he wants to get a very good deal.

Crowder’s contract range could be anywhere from $6.5-$10 million annually. It all depends on what he can do in 2018. And while Washington probably wants to keep him, it may be hard for the team to do so because of their other financial obligations.

If Scherff signs a $13.5 million extension and Smith signs a deal in the range specified for him, there may not be enough room for Crowder. The Redskins only have a projected $12 million in cap space next offseason, per Over The Cap, and they may have to open up some other space by cutting some overpriced veterans. Josh Norman, Jordan Reed, and Vernon Davis could fall into that category, but even if the team cut any of those players, they would just be opening up another hole on the roster.

In short, the Martin extension makes the Redskins life a bit more difficult as they will probably have to allocate more resources to Scherff to keep him. Washington keeping every extension eligible player was always going to be difficult for the team, but having more flexibility would have been helpful.

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