After Washington's playoff loss to Tampa Bay, Morgan Moses greeted Brandon Scherff with a simple message.
"That's not the last game I ever play with you," he said.
Moses' prediction is a big step closer to coming true now that Washington has placed the franchise tag on Scherff for a second year in a row. The team announced the move Monday night on the eve of the tagging deadline after the two sides couldn't come to terms on a long-term contract.
Scherff is coming off the first All-Pro season of his NFL career. The 29-year-old started 13 games at right guard and helping Washington make the playoffs for the first time since 2015, Scherff's rookie year after being drafted fifth overall.
Franchise-tagging Scherff again comes at a price of $18 million, a 20% raise from his 2020 salary. Scherff has started 78 games in his NFL career while developing a reputation for battling through injuries.
"I love it here," Scherff said on locker cleanout day. "I'm just looking forward to the off-season and hopefully I can sign my name to stay here."
Keeping Scherff is a major step toward continuity on the offensive line after re-signing centre Chase Roullier to a four-year extension in January. Coach Ron Rivera said last month Scherff's status was among the topics being discussed with new general manager Martin Mayhew and executive vice-president of football and player personnel Marty Hurney.
But there was little chance Washington would let Scherff walk. A year ago, the team moved on from Trent Williams and is still searching for his long-term replacement at left tackle.