Brandon Scherff has not had contract talks with the Washington Football Team since the All-Pro right guard signed his franchise tag last month. Talks having seemingly broken down. While both sides have until July 15 to work out a long-term deal, the latest tidbit from ESPN’s John Keim is discouraging.
Speaking on his podcast, Keim revealed before talks broke off, Scherff turned down a contract offer from Washington that would have made him the highest-paid offensive guard in the NFL.
While the latest report paints an unwelcoming picture towards Scherff, Keim clarified he was unaware of the contract structure offered. Considering, Scherff is set to play on the franchise tag for the season straight year, the offer may not have been benefiting for the four-time Pro Bowler.
Currently, the league’s highest-paid offensive guard will make an average of $16 million per year. Brandon Scherff is set to make a guaranteed $18.036 million for the 2021 season playing on the franchise tag for the second straight year. Added with last year’s tag, Scherff will make $33.1 million over two seasons.
An offer anywhere under $18 million may be easy to turn down for Scherff, Keim explained. The market constantly sets year-to-year. Scherff taking less than $18 million per year won’t do any good for him.
Again the clock is ticking. Washington has a little over three months to appease Scherff for a long-term deal. Otherwise, they risk him hitting free agency at the end of the season with a third straight franchise tag being highly unlikely.
Washington does have options if a deal cannot be reached. They could trade Scherff before the 2021 trade deadline and try fetch a high return from a team looking for an All-Pro offensive guard. They also could just let him play out the season. If he walks in free agency, they’ll get a compensatory pick which is expected to a third-round draft pick.
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