Training camps are opening across the NFL, yet several quality free agents are still on the street. Teams like the Indianapolis Colts and Seattle Seahawks could still use help for their shaky quarterback situations.
Sam Darnold needs to prove last year wasn’t a fluke, and Anthony Richardson’s NFL career could be on the line if he has another poor season. One analyst has a proven, durable veteran free agent who’s a logical target for both teams.
Brandon Scherff Could Be Stabilizing Piece for Colts, Seahawks’ Offensive Lines
Darnold had a career year in 2024 behind a solid offensive line with the Minnesota Vikings. He posted career highs in yards (4,319), touchdowns (35), and completion percentage (66.2%) last year, but now moves to Seattle and PFSN’s second-worst offensive line.
Richardson’s NFL career has yet to get going fully. Due to injuries and being benched, he’s only played in 15 games over his first two seasons. The Colts signed Daniel Jones this offseason, and he has a realistic chance to win the starting job. Richardson’s bigger body and play style invite many big hits, so getting him help up front could extend his career.
Hey, remember that one time Anthony Richardson trucked TF outta some no-name Jets defender? Ya, me too. pic.twitter.com/hgLP5sLgDi
— Colts Enjoyer (@AR5Renaissance) July 20, 2025
Adding quality players this time of year is tough, but Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox could have the answer both teams are looking for. He recently released his best remaining free agents list and named Brandon Scherff as a target for Seattle and Indianapolis.
Knox wrote, “Like [Dalton] Risner, Brandon Scherff is a starting-caliber guard who has possibly lost a step as a run blocker. For teams more concerned with pass protection, though, he should still generate a considerable amount of interest. Pro Football Focus graded Scherff 19th among guards in pass-blocking for the 2024 season.
“While Scherff may turn 34 in December, he’s an established and durable interior lineman who should find a home between now and Week 1. The five-time Pro Bowler hasn’t earned an all-star nod since 2021, but he’s started all 17 games in each of the past three seasons.”
All five Pro Bowls came while Scherff was with the Washington Commanders. He was also named first-team All-Pro with the Commanders in 2020.
Scherff was the fifth overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft and spent his first seven seasons with Washington. He signed a three-year, $49.5 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022 and was a consistent presence for quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
“Scherff would be a sensible addition for any team seeking help along its offensive interior. The Seattle Seahawks were just such a team in 2024.” Knox continued, “Though they added first-round rookie Grey Zabel to the mix this offseason, they have $29.9 million in cap space and could afford to add Scherff before Week 1.”
Seattle made significant changes to its offense this offseason, and hanging Darnold out to dry behind a weak unit wouldn’t make sense.
Knox continued, “The Indianapolis Colts should also be interested in Scherff. Indy is about to stage a QB camp competition between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones, and it could use more help along the interior of the offensive line. The Colts lost both center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries during free agency.”
Indianapolis’s offensive line is still a capable unit, but would benefit from adding Scherff after losing Kelly and Fries this offseason. Quenton Nelson is the only remaining starter from one of the best interior offensive lines in the league last year. Rolfe listed the unit as the league’s 16th-best.
Scherff isn’t flashy, but has been one of the league’s most consistent offensive linemen over the last three years. With 144 starts under his belt, including the playoffs, he’d be an immediate upgrade wherever he ends up.