Commanders Looking to Sign Extension For DT Daron Payne?

Daron Payne is having a career year for the Washington Commanders in the final season of his rookie contract.

Jeremy Brener | Dec 27, 2022

Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne picked a good year to have a good year.

Entering the final year of his rookie contract, Payne was all but certain to sing his swan song with the Commanders, and that was evidenced in the draft earlier this spring when the team selected fellow Alabama alum Phidarian Mathis in the second round.

However, Mathis' season ended in Week 1, meaning the team would have to rely on Payne more on the defensive line ... and he's delivered.

Payne's 9.5 sacks lead the team and he's on pace to break his personal record for tackles in a season.

Bleacher Report has identified Payne as one of the seven players deserving of an extension this offseason.

"Young interior defenders who can rush the passer get paid on the open market," Bleacher Report writes. "Payne already has a projected value of $14.2 million annually, and that number could skyrocket if he actually becomes available. There are potentially 31 other franchises that would be interested in scooping up a 25-year-old defensive tackle with double-digit-sack potential."

If the Commanders don't pay Payne this offseason, another team will. And in order to amplify one of the strengths of the team, re-signing Payne should be one of the team's top priorities this offseason.

Follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter

Get your Washington Commanders game tickets from SI Tickets HERE!

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Washington Commanders? Click Here.

Follow Commander Country on Twitter.

Want even more Washington Commanders news? Check out the Si.com team page here

Published Dec 27, 2022

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.