Washington has put franchise label on right-wing guard Brandon Scherff for the second year in a row, the team announced Monday night.
Scherff will receive $ 18.03 million in the 2021 season, 20% more than last season. But Washington still hopes to sign it for a long-term deal. He has until July 15 to do so and a source described the conversations as friendly.
Scherff, who turned 29 in December, played the franchise last season, earning $ 15.03 million. He also became the first Washington player to be named All-Pro first team since pointer Matt Turk in 1996. Scherff has made four Pro Bowls, including the last two.
The coaches liked how Scherff played inside, but also how well-blocked he was in motion in the screen game.
But injuries have also been an issue. Scherff has not played all 16 games since 2016 and has lost 18 combined games in the last four years. He ended up on the injured reserve in 2017 and 18.
Washington chose Scherff with the fifth overall draft of the 2015 draft, with the intention of trying it out in the first place. But Washington moved him to the right guard at the beginning of his first camp and launched Morgan Moses into the attack, creating a strong tandem on the right side.
While in Iowa, Scherff was named the Outland Trophy winner in 2014 as the nation’s best offensive lineman.