3 former Commanders who can get revenge in 2022

2. Brandon Scherff

Scherff headlined Washington’s big-name departures this offseason. Normally, losing a perennial Pro Bowl offensive lineman after seven seasons would be a crushing blow to a team and its fan base, but Scherff leaving had been a long-time coming given he played under the franchise tag in 2020 and 2021.

Additionally, the five-time Pro Bowler turned down a record-setting contract from the Commanders that would’ve made him the highest-paid guard in the NFL, according to general manager Martin Mayew. Scherff never seemed committed to Washington for the long haul and his actions proved it.

That might make the wound heal quicker, but fans will have to rip the bandaid off quickly as Scherff will lock horns with his former club in Week 1 of next season when Jacksonville makes the trek up north to FedEx Field.

The Jaguars made Scherff a happy man in free agency, signing the 30-year-old lineman to a three-year, $49.5 million deal with $30 million guaranteed. The contract makes Scherff the wealthiest guard in the league based on annual average value, a smidge higher than Joel Bitonio and Joe Thuney’s $16 million salary.

Washington was 0-14 in games without Scherff since the start of 2019 and he allowed just eight sacks since 2017. That both highlights his importance and why the team didn’t move heaven and earth to re-sign him, as he played just 40 games since 2018 and hasn’t played a full year since back in 2016.