:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69580761/usa_today_9733766.0.jpg)
This has been the expected outcome to the Brandon Scherff era, but it looks almost certain that he will play on the franchise tag again this season. Scherff and the team are not expected to reach a long-term deal, and he will hit free agency next season. Washington his been unable to lock down their #5 overall pick from 2015, and there has been a lot of blame thrown at both sides who have said on multiple occasion they wanted to get a deal done.
The team has done everything they can to keep him in Washington through the 5th year option and back-to-back franchise tags. Scherff made $12.525 on the 5th year option in 2019, $15.03 million last year on his first tag, and he is set to make $18.036 million this year. Washington could try to apply a third tag to Scherff, but they would be on the hook for $25.97 million which is would put him in top 13 QB money.
There is a small, but unlikely, chance that Washington could negotiate a long-term deal between the end of the season, and the start of the new league year when Scherff will become a free agent. This would be a drastic change from the stalemate that has been going on for the last 3 years. The more likely scenario sees Scherff signing a big money deal, and Washington hoping to get a high compensatory pick for him.
Brandon Scherff and the Washington Football Team are not expected to agree on a contract extension before Thursday's deadline, per source close to the situation. Means Scherff would play '21 on the franchise tag, again, and become a 2022 FA. @RapSheet 1st with the expected update
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) July 14, 2021
Scherff's third tag would be for at least $25.97M in 2022, meaning it obviously won't happen
— Brad Spielberger (@PFF_Brad) July 14, 2021
Washington will either lose their 2015 No. 5 overall pick or give Scherff left tackle money