Should the Washington Football Team re-sign Brandon Scherff?

After signing left tackle Charles Leno to a three-year extension, the Washington Football Team has four of its five starting offensive linemen locked in for 2022. The only one who is not is former All-Pro guard Brandon Scherff.

Scherff is on the second of two franchise tags. This one is worth $18M, up from $16M in 2020. To some, the argument is simple when discussing a possible extension for the former Hawkeye. It is a simple no. Paying a guard in the NFL $18M+ is seen as poor financial management.

Some believe that money could be better spent elsewhere. Others believe it would not exactly be the smartest maneuver to let one of your two Pro Bowlers hit free agency.

As is clear, the conversation surrounding potentially bringing back Brandon Scherff has nuance to it. There really is not a clear answer on either side of the coin. So, today I am here to provide both sides of the argument, as well as give my own personal opinion of what the Washington Football Team should do.

So instead of rambling on about other meaningless things, let’s dive in!

The argument for re-signing Brandon Scherff

This argument starts off pretty simply: Brandon Scherff is one of the best guards in the NFL. He is an elite road grader in the run game, he is stout in pass protection and he has grown into one of the game’s best interior linemen.

He also is a team captain, someone who the entire roster looks to for leadership. His leadership was particularly evident in the rookie right tackle, Sam Cosmi. After a shaky start in training camp and a rough Week 1 blocking Joey Bosa, Cosmi has greatly improved since then.

He, like Scherff, is a potent run blocker. While he sometimes overextends in pass protection and becomes off-balanced, he has shown quality pass protection reps at that position. While Cosmi certainly deserves most of the credit, Scherff has certainly helped him transition to the NFL.

Cosmi has had a much easier transition with passing off stunts and other things regarding communication with a veteran next to him.

If Washington were to not re-sign Scherff, Cosmi would have to become familiar with a new counterpart, potentially, if it is not Wes Schweitzer who takes Scherff’s spot. While Cosmi can certainly still perform well with a new right guard, it may just create a smoother process if some continuity is kept.

Speaking of continuity, if Washington were to indeed extend Scherff that would slate all five offensive linemen to return next year. One of the most important pieces to offensive line success is proper communication. Having such strong continuity on the line could prove vital for the potential new signal-caller in Washington.

The argument for letting Brandon Scherff hit free agency

Let’s start off with the obvious; there is a chance Brandon Scherff could be deemed too expensive to keep for the Washington Football Team. Given that he is making $18M on the franchise tag, it is safe to assume he will want a contract that at least meets or exceeds this mark. Maybe, now that he has $34M in tow, he could take a hometown discount. Maybe.

It is also worth noting that Brandon Scherff has not had a season where he played in every game since his second season. And there have been three years where he has missed at least five games, including seven this year.

Now, given that he plays offensive line this can be explained away to a certain degree. But an offensive lineman that is a near shoo-in to miss multiple games in a season just may not be worth the value his contract demands will certainly entail.

Another side to the argument to consider is the offensive line coach John Matsko. He is one of Washington’s best assistant coaches and one of the most well-respected offensive line coaches in league circles. Since coming to Washington he has helped transform multiple players to another level of their games.

And in 2021, when at one point he was playing Keith Ismael, the fourth string center, Saahdiq Charles, third-string guard, and Cornelius Lucas, the backup left tackle all at once, he kept the offensive line stable enough. Sure it had its rough moments down the stretch, like against Philadelphia in Week 17.

But, quite frankly, there is not much one can expect can be done when a team gets to their fourth center.

So, the point is, if John Matsko can make players play better than they once thought they were capable of, then investing high dollars into the offensive may not be prudent. Especially when $23M AAV has been invested into Leno and Roullier.

Washington may find it more beneficial to go cheaper at Scherff’s spot, take a slight downgrade and trust John Matsko to make it work. Which, honestly, would be a good bet to make. Matsko has kept the line producing despite tough circumstances.

Should Washington re-sign Brandon Scherff?

No 

Simply put: Brandon Scherff would most likely cost too much to keep. With Leno and Roullier already on the books, Washington’s undoubted want to sign Terry McLaurin to an extension this offseason, and the potential need to sign a veteran quarterback to an extension if they were to acquire one, Washington could go cheaper at Scherff’s spot.

Sure Brandon Scherff is a really, really good guard, but he has not been as dominant as he once was and he is over 30. There is a good chance the injuries will take a toll and he will soon not be close to the same player.

Not to mention that Wes Schweitzer is a perfectly capable replacement when he was called upon in Scherff’s absence. Saahdiq Charles has even shown flashes, especially as a run blocker, over the past few weeks. Not to mention that there will definitely be options available in the draft and free agency to either start or provide depth along with the interior.

Brandon Scherff has spent seven seasons in Washington, since being selected with the fifth overall pick in 2015. While it is disappointing that he never panned out at tackle like Washington originally hoped, he has been a great guard for the franchise which almost masks that mishap.

He also has been the team’s first All-Pro since Matt Turk, a punter, got the honor in 1996. He was instrumental in the development of Chase Roullier, as well as seasoning rookie Sam Cosmi in 2021.

But, unless he were to take a short-term deal or a hometown discount, it is most likely time for Washington and Scherff to part ways. If Brandon Scherff hits free agency, he will undoubtedly get a well-earned payday. Washington, on the other hand, could net a comp pick for Scherff, while still maintaining a solid line that has continuity.

There are of course caveats to this if Scherff’s contract demands change but Washington should let the former All-Pro and five-time Pro-Bowler hit free agency.