Daron Payne suddenly shoulders plenty of responsibility as the Washington Commanders shift gears in the offseason and begin working toward training camp later this summer. In a sense, this is a make-or-break year for the former first-round pick.
Payne enters the third year of a four-year $90 million contract he signed after a stellar 2022 campaign. That season Payne tallied 11.5 sacks and 64 total tackles, both being career highs.
The production has dipped since and he has not been the same player that earned a Pro Bowl selection. Frankly, the Commanders cannot afford to have that dip continue in 2025.
Ben Standig of The Athletic has already proclaimed the urgency for Payne this season, noting the potential contract implications that are at stake here. Payne sits between two extremes: either faltering and risk being a cap casualty next offseason or putting himself in a position to earn another handsome pay day.
"At a minimum, [Daron] Payne is a forceful lineman worthy of double-teams. Even if there’s a role/usage excuse following last year’s coaching staff change, the hulking 320-pounder rarely made a distinct presence in games compared to those 2022 highs."
"Doing so this season would not only help lift a potentially meh line, but also put Payne in a position for another significant contract from Washington or another team entering his age-29 season. Otherwise, he’s an obvious salary-cap cut next offseason and a reason why Washington’s defensive ceiling wouldn’t rise in 2025."
Looking at the bigger picture here, the Commanders need their defense to be a force under Dan Quinn next season. Year 1 brought some major changes and there is some grace for an adjustment period.
But the Commanders are on the fast track to contention and any dead weight slowing that movement down must be rid of. The franchise has invested heavily in surrounding Jayden Daniels with a formidable line and skilled position group. Now, Quinn's defense must take some charge too.
And that starts with Payne who is an integral piece on the Commanders front. As Standig notes, Payne is a game wrecker at his best worthy of that $90 million contract. Washington just has not gotten much of that lately.
If that changes in 2025 Payne will not only be in better position for his next contract in the coming years, the Commanders will be much more of a daunting contender.
