Brandon Scherff would add “dose of nastiness” to Bengals OL
By Kristen Wong
The Cincinnati Bengals could benefit in a huge way by acquiring the tough-as-nails Washington guard Brandon Scherff this free agency.
“Tough” is one of the first adjectives that come to mind when we think of Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Burrow’s O-line.
The Bengals’ offensive narrative has practically been beaten to death in the mud at this point: Cincinnati need better linemen to protect Burrow this season. Along with scouting recruits in the 2022 NFL Draft, team can assess a few options in this year’s free agency, one of which is Washington Commanders’ Brandon Scherff.
NFL’s Marc Sessler listed one potential free agent fit for each NFL team and had Scherff going to Cincinnati:
"Scherff is coming off consecutive franchise tags with the Commanders and would give the Bengals one of the game’s top all-around guards. Durability has been an issue — he’s missed 14 starts over the past three campaigns — but Scherff would imbue this Bengals front with a dark dose of nastiness."
Cincinnati Bengals could use a nasty OL like Washington’s Brandon Scherff
As Sessler notes, Scherff’s injury history is a tad concerning, and at 30 years old Scherff may not provide the long-term reliability the Bengals crave for in the trenches.
Yet at least for the short-term, Scherff could serve as part of the solution and help Cincy go on another Super Bowl run in 2022. The seven-year guard is coming off his third consecutive Pro Bowl season despite playing in just 11 games in 2021.
Scherff has been an integral member in Washington’s offense by helping protect Taylor Heinicke and facilitate the rushing attack, but his services arguably have gone to waste this past season.
If he wants to chase a ring, the Bengals would give him one of the best chances to do so, and he would get to protect a much higher-caliber quarterback in Joe Burrow. No offense to Heinicke.
Next. 5 tight end options if C.J. Uzomah isn’t retained. dark
Scherff joins the short list of other talented offensive linemen set to hit free agency in 2022, and Cincinnati should dutifully give him a call.