Washington Commanders 'Big Brothers' Helping Rookie DT Adjust to NFL Life

The Washington Commanders have veteran leadership on the defensive line.

Jeremy Brener | Jul 31, 2024

Sep 25, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne (94) celebrates with Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (93) after a safety against the Philadelphia Eagles at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports / Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

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Washington Commanders

Washington Commanders defensive tackle Johnny Newton is fresh in the NFL after becoming the team's second round pick back in April's draft.

It can be hard to go from college to the pros, but life can be easier with a veteran or two on your side, and that's exactly what Newton has in Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne.

“They’re just great people, great teammates," Newton said of Allen and Payne. "I've been watching them for years now. Back when they were in college at Alabama I used to watch them, but actually getting to know them, great people outside of the football field. They’re honestly like big brothers. Whenever I mess up with something, they'll tell me. Just the smallest things on the field, they always help me out, always encouraging me. So, we know how good they are on the field, but outside of the field they're big bros, honestly, and they have my back and I have theirs.”

The "big bro" narrative was also used to describe them when Phidarian Mathis came to the team in 2022 as the next young defensive lineman in Washington. Now, another brother has joined the family in Newton.

If Newton can stay healthy and learn alongside Allen and Payne, he could take over for them as the next long-term defensive tackle in the nation's capital.

Stick with CommanderGameday and the Locked On Commanders podcast for more FREE coverage of the Washington Commanders throughout the 2024 season.

You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

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Published Jul 31, 2024

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.