Commanders sign OG Max Scharping

Scharping was signed earlier this month. He has not played much in recent years and tore and ACL in September 2025.

Scharping has bounced around as veteran depth since playing out his four-year rookie deal with the Texans and, later, Bengals. He’s played just 20 snaps the last two years. He’ll likely be on the practice squad/end-of-roster shuttle again in 2026 if his knee cooperates.

Scharping will help provide depth with Isaac Seumalo still questionable for this week and James Daniels placed on injured reserve yesterday. The 28-year-old started for the Texans for portions of three years before spending the last two years as a backup with the Bengals.

Scharping was a second-round pick of the Texans back in 2019 and has started in 33 of the 79 games he’s appeared in, with his last start coming in 2021. He appeared in 31 games for the Bengals over the last two seasons but has seen just 43 offensive snaps over that span. He’ll look to catch on with the Eagles as added depth along the interior in training camp.

Scharping is little more than a depth signing at this point in his career. The former second-round pick appeared in just three regular season games on offense for the Bengals last season and struggled throughout the team’s playoff run while replacing the injured Alex Cappa at right guard. In three playoff games, Scharping earned a PFF grade of 41.3, allowing three sacks and 14 quarterback pressures.

The Texans have closed their team facility after Scharping had a positive COVID-19 test. This comes at a good time with Houston on a bye. The Texans play the Jaguars in Week 9.

Scharping (6’6/327) made 53 starts on the Huskies’ line, manning right tackle and dabbling at right guard early in his career before kicking to left tackle for his final two years. PFF College credited Scharping with just one sack allowed over his final three seasons, also holding his own as a run blocker. He particularly popped on tape in NIU’s 2018 game against Florida State, handling Brian Burns. Scharping offers adequate arm length (33 5/8") but profiles as a likelier right tackle or guard than left tackle in the NFL because of his modest athleticism. Andrus Peat is a fair suggestion for Scharping’s ceiling. The Texans selected Tytus Howard in round one and Julie’n Davenport in last year’s draft. Hopefully they can put together a solid front five for Deshaun Watson.

Scharping (6’6/327) made 53 starts on the Huskies’ line, manning right tackle and dabbling at right guard early in his career before kicking to left tackle for his final two years. PFF College credited Scharping with just one sack allowed over his final three seasons, also holding his own as a run blocker. He particularly popped on tape in NIU’s 2018 game against Florida State, handling Brian Burns. Scharping offers adequate arm length (33 5/8") but profiles as a likelier right tackle or guard than left tackle in the NFL because of his modest athleticism. Andrus Peat is a fair suggestion for Scharping’s ceiling. The Texans selected Tytus Howard in round one and Julie’n Davenport in last year’s draft. Hopefully they can put together a solid front five for Deshaun Watson.

There have been loads -- and we do mean loads -- of talk involving the Jets trading into the second round, but if they do stick with the 68th pick, a player like Scharping makes sense. “The Jets’ first pick since No. 3 (Quinnen Williams),” Brugler writes, “and it’s tough to see any selection other than offensive line here, either outside or inside.” Even if the Jets do trade up, a player like Scharping (6'6/327) could be the target.

Scharping was one of the true analytical stars in his time at Northern Illinois, but he got mixed reviews for his time at the Shrine Game, and didn’t show much explosion during his time at the NFL Scouting Combine. Still, the 6-foot-6, 327-pound tackle has his supporters, including Zierlein -- for the most part. “NFL rushers will look to exploit the inconsistent footwork and balance that shows up when his pass sets become hurried and unfocused against true edge speed, " he writes. “He might get a shot at left tackle, but might be best-suited on the right side where he has the potential to become an above-average starter.”