Commander Country

Cowboys to Sign Commanders DT Daron Payne?

The Washington Commanders could part ways with Daron Payne this offseason. And the Dallas Cowboys could make sense as a new landing spot.

Jeremy Brener

The Washington Commanders have made it clear. They want to re-sign Daron Payne.

In every situation, there are usually three outcomes: good, bad and ugly.

Good? Commanders agree to a deal with Payne, and they move forward.

Bad? Payne signs with another team in free agency and spurns the Commanders.

Ugly? Payne signs with the NFC East rival Dallas Cowboys ... and that's exactly what Pro Football Focus believes is America's Team's best move.

"Washington has an elite interior defender already signed to a big multi-year deal in Jonathan Allen — a deal that will look like a total steal after the pending market explosion at the position this offseason — so that will certainly soften the blow here," says Pro Football Focus, naming Payne the Commanders player they can't afford to lose. "Payne’s 48 quarterback pressures in 2022 ranked ninth among interior defenders, as he’s developed into a solid pass rusher over his first five seasons.

"At the least, Washington should place the franchise tag on Payne."

The franchise tag is certainly a possibility for Payne, who faces free agency after his five-year rookie contract is up.

Allen will count $21.4 million against Washington's 2023 salary cap in the second year of the extension he signed in 2021. And the defensive tackle franchise tag number this year is expected to cost teams $18.9 million.

Quick math means that if the Commanders follow PFF's strategy, they'll be paying north of $40 million for its two starting defensive tackles - with both guys in the top five of the NFL in average annual value among all defensive tackles.

The Commanders know the price they have to pay to keep Payne, and they very well may pay it just so the Cowboys don't have a chance to do it themselves.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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