The Washington Redskins extended guard Brandon Scherff's rookie contract through 2019 as offseason workouts began on Monday.
Of course they did.
It might seem a minor procedural transaction amid the sexiness of bringing potential first-rounders Da'Ron Payne and Derrius Guice to Redskins Park for a look over, but it's the type of move that builds winners.
For too long Washington ignored its offensive line and paid dearly for it. Now they're paying dearly to build a young unit. Scherff is the building block of the line at right guard. Former general manager Scot McCloughan wanted a can't-miss player with his first overall pick – No. 5 in 2015. Maybe it was a little too high for a guard, though Scherff was technically a left tackle for a few days before he moved inside, but two Pro Bowls in three years ended that talk.
Scherff is a baller. A throwback to the Hogs who earned three Super Bowl rings.
Right now, Scherff is a bargain with a $6.75 million cap hit. The 2019 option is for $12.5 million. Hopefully, the Redskins learned from the Kirk Cousins debacle how to work a major deal ahead of time rather than risk losing Scherff in 2020. But, agents have also seen a path to riches via Cousins' willingness to play through one-year deals so we'll see how the latter's bold move resonates in the future.
Scherff anchors a unit that has three of the team's top seven salaries. Right tackle Morgan Moses, a 2014 third-rounder, earned a five-year, $40 million extension through 2022. So, the right side should be good for years.
Left tackle Trent Williams has been among the NFL's best since being drafted fourth overall in 2010. But, envisioning his future is not easy. He played only 10 games last season before undergoing extensive knee surgery. He has been limping along for several years. And, there have been two drug suspensions that would mean a major sanction if suffering a third. Williams is signed through 2020 and his cap number this year is the team's third highest at $18.56 million. A healthy Williams is a major asset, but for how long is uncertain.
The Redskins have decided center Chase Roullier played well enough as a rookie to return as the starter, but he'll need a solid fall to remain so. The left guard spot is still uncertain.
Overall, the line is a plus that still needs tinkering. But, keeping Scherff is a no-brainer.
Rick Snider has covered Washington sports since 1978. Follow him on Twitter: @Snide_Remarks
