Much has been made of the Washington Commanders' defense and its ability to rush the passer in 2025, with Dante Fowler Jr. and his 10.5 sacks being allowed to walk out the door.
But it now allows someone to step up and be the leading man on defense.
That used to be defensive tackle Daron Payne.
After a 2022 season that saw him post 11.5 sacks and earn a Pro Bowl nod, he hasn't gotten close to replicating that in the following two seasons.
And now, for ESPN's John Keim, it's gut-check time for Payne in Washington.
"Washington needs more from Payne this season," Keim writes. "After recording 11.5 sacks in a contract year in 2022 he has posted a combined eight the past two seasons. But more than sack totals, Payne needs to be felt more in the pass rush. In 2020-22, he had 96 pass rush wins and a win rate of 11.6 percent. In the past two years he has had 39 wins and a 7.6 percent win rate. Payne isn't in a contract year but could be cut next offseason for a $16 million savings."
Those cap savings are an eye-opener, and Payne would likely need to have a Pro Bowl-caliber season to save himself from being cut.
The Commanders need a pass rush for coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., and Payne needs to be a big part of that. Four sacks in 17 games last season won't cut it, not this year when Washington has Super Bowl intentions.
To go far in the postseason, the Commanders need to be able to get off the field, and with Payne, Dorance Armstrong, and Javon Kinlaw, that trio needs to show up in the biggest way.
And for Daron, his Commanders future might hinge on whether he does or not.
