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Guard Brandon Scherff has been a mainstay in Washington's starting lineup since entering the league as a first-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. He has been named to two Pro Bowls.
Stephen Czarda
April 16, 2018
The Washington Redskins announced on Monday that they have exercised the fifth-year option on Pro Bowl guard Brandon Scherff, officially keeping him with the team for the 2019 season.
Scherff, 26, first joined the Redskins after being selected with the No. 5-overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. While he began his time in Washington at right tackle, he transitioned to right guard where he’s started all 46 of his appearances through three seasons.
During his rookie season, Scherff appeared in all 16 regular season games along with the Redskins’ playoff game against the Green Bay Packers. The Iowa product played all but one offensive snap during the regular season, exiting the field momentarily after losing his shoe.
Scherff became only the third rookie offensive lineman to start all 16 games for the Redskins, joining Jon Jansen (1999) and Chris Samuels (2000). For his efforts, Scherff was also named to PFWA’s All-Rookie Team.
During the 2016 season, Scherff joined Samuels (2000-01) and Jansen (1999-2000) as the only Redskins offensive linemen to open their careers by starting 16 games in each of their first two NFL seasons.
He was also named to his first Pro Bowl, as the 6-foot-5, 319 pounder was part of an offensive line that led Washington to team records in in total net yards (6,545), net passing yards (4,758) and yards per play (6.40) while allowing only 23 sacks, fourth-fewest in the NFL.
Despite missing two games during the 2017 season, Scherff earned his second consecutive selection to the Pro Bowl.
With his back-to-back Pro Bowl nods, Scherff became the first interior offensive lineman for the Redskins to be named to consecutive Pro Bowls since Pro Football Hall of Famer Russ Grimm was selected four straight years from 1983-86.
Additionally, Scherff joined Samuels and Jansen as the only offensive linemen since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to start at least 14 games for Washington in each of their first three NFL seasons.
“He’s been very impressive since he walked in the building with his work ethic, his athleticism, his strength, his power,” said Redskins head coach Jay Gruden. “Now he’s really getting comfortable. He’s reacting. He’s anticipating. He’s pulling. He’s pass-blocking. He’s run-blocking. He’s double teaming. He’s doing everything you want him to do out in screens, out in space. He’s the best guard out in space by far in this league. It’s fun to watch him.”
Prior to his time with the Redskins, Scherff appeared in 43 games with 36 starts. During his senior season in 2014, Scherff was received the Outland Trophy, which is awarded annually to the nation’s most outstanding interior lineman.
He also earned unanimous consensus All-American honors and was named first-team All-Big Ten for the second consecutive season.
