While the Washington Redskins are standing their ground on Trent Williams and his holdout, they are trying to work on an extension to right guard Brandon Scherff. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, that work includes an offer of $13 million per year.
“From what I understand about Brandon Scherff is that the Redskins have had some contact with him, some negotiations on a potential big-time long-term extension,” Rapoport reported Monday on NFL Now, per Kevin Patra. “But they really have not gotten very much off the ground despite the Redskins offering him a contract worth more than $13 million per year, which would put him about at the top of the guard market. Those conversations are going to continue but don’t be surprised if Brandon Scherff goes toward free agency and becomes the highest-paid guard in the NFL going forward next offseason.”
Scherff is playing in the final year of his rookie-scale contract, paying him $12.525 million on a fifth-year option.
If both sides are unable to reach a deal, Scherff reaching free agency could land a significantly higher deal on the market that would make him the highest-paid guard in the NFL. Currently, Cowboys’ Zack Martin is earning a league-high among guards at $14 million per year on average.
Scherff has been an anchor along the Redskins offensive line at right guard. He did miss eight games last season with a pectoral injury. However, he returned this season and has been solid through the first two weeks aside a couple of holding penalties.
Washington does not have any significant pending free agents for the 2020 offseason. Not any that could garner a pretty penny. Plus, they could cut ties from cornerback Josh Norman and save an additional $12.5 million against the cap. The Redskins can afford to up the ante to secure Scherff.
