Redskins expected to place the franchise tag on Brandon Scherff

Brandon Scherff has been the Redskins right guard for the last 5 years since being selected 5th overall in the 2015 NFL draft. Washington exercised the 5th year option on him last year, and he played for $12.525 million. The two sides have been negotiating since last year on a long-term deal. The sides were reportedly far apart on a new deal, and nothing reported since then has given much hope that a new deal will get done.

The Redskins have been expected to use the franchise tag for a while on RG Brandon Scherff. The team has until March 12th to exercise the franchise tag, and then free agency will start on March 18th. There have been many articles written from Redskins insiders and reporters about the Redskins intentions for Scherff.

As for the Redskins’ free agents, sources expect Washington to place the franchise tag on right guard Brandon Scherff while the two sides explore a long-term contract.

Jenna Laine from ESPN listed several players who are expected to get the tag before the deadline and Scherff made the list. Nothing shocking here as a long-term deal doesn’t seem likely right now. The franchise tag for OL this year is expected to be ~$16 million. The salary cap is projected to be ~$200 million this year, and there have been reports that it could go up to $240 million next year with a new CBA.

Is Brandon Scherff worth $16 million per year? That debate has been raging for the last year, and won’t stop until he’s signed long-term here, or somewhere else, and finished his contract. He ended the last two years on injured reserve, and had surgery in December for a labrum injury. He tore his pec the previous season. He made the Pro Bowl last year(along with 2016 and 2017), and has been considered a top guard since entering the league.

The Redskins drafted Wes Martin in the 4th round last year, and he got 5 starts last year. The team saw potential in him, but there is a new regime under Head Coach Ron Rivera. The Redskins also have to look at re-signing LG Ereck Flowers, and dealing with the Trent Williams hold out saga that is entering year 2. Ideally the team will lock up two out of those 3 players. But a trade looks more likely by the day for Williams, and the tag will likely be placed on Scherff. There have been no updates on Flowers since the organizational shakeup.