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Matthew Paras

mparas@washingtontimes.com

Matthew Paras was a digital sports writer for the Washington Times.

Articles by Matthew Paras

Washington Football Team offensive guard Brandon Scherff (75) blocks during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Landover, Md., in this Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, file photo. Scherff was selected Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, to The Associated Press All-Pro Team. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr., File)  **FILE**

Brandon Scherff likely in line for major payday after All-Pro season

Before leaving the locker room following Washington'ss playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Morgan Moses had a brief exchange with Brandon Scherff. The right tackle told Scherff that the defeat wasn't the last game they played together. But Scherff, a pending free agent, couldn't answer with the same certainty.

January 17, 2021
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) scrambles against the Cincinnati Bengals during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Ron Rivera ‘made a mistake’ at quarterback. He’ll have to get the position right next season

Washington, once again, faces a familiar problem of having to determine who will be its franchise quarterback. Finding the right player for 2021 and beyond is particularly important for this set of circumstances as Washington's promising core could be further elevated with elite -- or even above-average -- production from under center. Washington's window to compete has opened and the team only has a few years before its foundational players like Terry McLaurin and Chase Young have to be paid.

January 13, 2021
Philadelphia Eagles' Doug Pederson walks the field before an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)  **FILE**

Eagles fire Doug Pederson

The Philadelphia Eagles fired Pederson on Monday, just three years after the coach helped win a Super Bowl with the franchise. Pederson's exit comes after a tumultuous season in which the Eagles finished 4-11-1.

January 11, 2021
Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera looks on during the NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola) **FILE**

Ron Rivera and a gutsy, gritty Year 1 in Washington

Sometime between Sunday evening and Monday, Washington coach Ron Rivera planned to meet with owner Dan Snyder to discuss the next steps for the franchise. Among the pressing items on the agenda was for the two to address the quarterback position and the team's general manager vacancy, Rivera said.

January 10, 2021
Washington Football Team defensive end Chase Young (99) before the start of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Washington sees bright future after loss to Tom Brady, Buccaneers

Heinicke might not be the long term solution at quarterback for Washington, but Saturday's effort was a reminder of how much progress the rest of Washington's roster made throughout a turbulent 2020 season. They go into the 2021 offseason with something that's been rare for the burgundy and gold in recent years: Hope.

January 10, 2021
Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) dives to score a touchdown against Tampa Bay Buccaneers inside linebackers Kevin Minter (51) and Lavonte David (54) during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Taylor Heinicke’s rally falls short as Washington loses to Tampa Bay

As Tampa Bay lined up to kickoff almost midway through the fourth quarter, Taylor Heinicke sprinted out of the locker room to rejoin his team. Washington's season and playoff hopes had come down to him, and so despite a shoulder injury minutes earlier, Heinicke just had to be out there.

January 9, 2021
Washington Football Team's Terry McLaurin (17) catches a touchdown pass against Philadelphia Eagles' Grayland Arnold (37) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Washington’s playoff game helps restore standing in District

So much has changed for Washington's NFL team in the past year -- new nickname, new coaches, new executives -- that Saturday night's wild-card game at FedEx Field can sometimes feel like the club's first-ever trip to the playoffs.

January 7, 2021