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The Redskins are expected to use the franchise tag on Brandon Scherff before the March 12th. But they are still in negotiations to try to avoid it according to Ian Rapoport.
While NFL business is mostly on hold in CBA limbo, teams are still attempting to get deals ready. The #Redskins, for instance, are working to lock up Pro Bowl G Brandon Scherff long-term to avoid franchise tagging him, sources say. The Cardinals did the same with DJ Humphries.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 6, 2020
This would obviously be a huge development for the Redskins, and second-year QB Dwayne Haskins Jr. Things have changed with the Redskins finally giving permission to Trent Williams' agent to seek a trade. The Redskins will need to find a new left tackle this year whether it's through free agency or the draft.
Getting a new deal done with Scherff now gives them on long-term solution on the offensive line. Morgan Moses has been playing with injuries the last few year's and many people would like to see him replaced. Last year's starting LG Ereck Flowers and LT Donald Penn are pending free agents, but Head Coach Ron Rivera has said he'd like to bring Flowers back. Center Chase Roullier is entering the final year of his rookie contract. That's a lot of potential change in a short amount of time.
The big question comes down the the money, and how much it will take to bring Scherff back to Washington. The Redskins reportedly offered him $13+ million per year, but he's likely going to get more than that in free agency. When the Redskins trade Trent Williams, they'll have ~$72 million available in cap space.
Rapoport mentions the new CBA holding up progress on NFL business, something that was expected. The players have been sent the proposed new deal and can vote on it until Thursday March 12th at 11:59 pm. The franchise tag deadline is March 12th at 4 pm.
If Scherff is waiting for the new deal to be approved before signing anything, that's not a big window, and the Redskins would likely still need to use the tag to extend negotiations. The deal is expected to pass, and every player knows what's in it, and has already reports about more money expected to be coming their way through new television/streaming deals.
Does Scherff want to be here long term, and are the Redskins willing to pay him to do it?