Brandon Scherff could become the best offensive lineman on the free-agent market later this month. But the Washington Redskins may not want it to get to that point.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Redskins are trying to lock up Scherff to a long-term deal.
Even if Washington does not come to an agreement with Scherff, the guard will probably spend the 2020 campaign with the Redskins regardless. The club would then probably slap a franchise tag on him.
Of course, the Redskins can tag him and then trade him, but right now, it seems like Washington wants him around.
Scherff, who played his collegiate football at the University of Iowa, was originally selected by the Redskins with the fifth overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft.
He immediately started all 16 games during his rookie campaign, and the following year, Scherff once again started every contest and made the Pro Bowl.
While Scherff made his second straight Pro Bowl in 2017, injuries began to hit the Denison, Ia. native. He missed a couple of games. Then, in 2018, Scherff suffered a torn pectoral muscle, knocking him out for half of the season.
He earned his third Pro Bowl selection this past season, but once again, he was banged up and played in just 11 games before ending the year on injured reserve due to elbow and shoulder issues.
Due to Scherff's checkered injury history, the Redskins will likely exercise caution in long-term contract negotiations, but there is no doubting that Scherff is one of the league's best linemen when healthy.