Washington Commanders Star Daron Payne Compares Team's 'New Feeling' to Alabama Days

Defensive tackle Daron Payne describes the new feeling throughout the Washington Commanders organization.

Daron Payne (94) / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

General Manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn have brought a new energy to the Washington Commanders, and players are already feeling it in the offseason. 

Star defensive tackle Daron Payne explained what the current vibes in Washington feel like for Commanders’ players.

Daron Payne (94) / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

“It’s definitely a new feeling,” Payne said in an interview with Scott Abraham. I got this feeling when I was a freshman going into Alabama, and I got it again when I was a rookie coming here. It feels like the same type of energy.”

Payne also said that he’s been training with the guys this offseason, which could be a great sign of things to come in the future, considering how many new additions to the team’s defense have been made in free agency, such as future Hall of Fame linebacker Bobby Wagner. 

Last year, at age 33, Wagner led the league in tackles while setting a new career high for his combined single-season total of 183. Wagner now joins Payne and Jonathan Allen on a defense that struggled last year, but the organization expects to turnaround considering that Quinn is a defensively-minded coach with multiple Super Bowl appearances from his involvement with teams like the Seattle Seahawks and Atlanta Falcons. 

Washington may be in a rebuilding, but the team is still loaded with talent on its defensive line even after moving defensive ends Chase Young and Montez Sweat at last year's trade deadline. 

Allen and Payne are old Alabama teammates who have found individual success in their careers. They have combined for three Pro Bowl appearances in the last three seasons. 

The hope is that Peters' additions to the team’s roster and Quinn’s presence will be enough to change the Commanders’ culture and shift the energy from being upset with losing that Allen vocalized a year ago, into becoming a winning environment going forward.