The Washington Commanders made a big statement on Sunday. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Commanders agreed to a four-year extension worth $90 million with defensive tackle Daron Payne. Payne cannot sign the deal until Wednesday, the first day of the NFL’s new league year.
The deal gives Payne a $22.5 million average annual value. That’s second only behind Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams among defensive tackles. Payne also surpasses his teammate Jonathan Allen’s $18 million AAV.
Payne will receive a guaranteed $55.01 million at signing, including a $28 million signing bonus. That total also includes his 2023 and 2024 salaries, a workout bonus for 2023, and $9 million toward his 2025 salary. An additional $4 million is guaranteed on the third day of the 2025 league year, plus $510,000 worth of roster bonuses for 2025 that pushes his practical guarantees to $60.02 million.
Daron Payne cashes in after a career year in 2022. Playing on his fifth-year option, Payne racked up a team-leading 11.5 sacks. He earned his first Pro Bowl alongside Allen. Reports before the season suggested re-signing Payne to an extension was a pipe dream.
In hindsight, those reports may have served as motivation for Payne. The Commanders placed the franchise tag on Payne on Feb. 28. All the while, the Commanders stayed in touch with Payne’s agent, Joel Segal, before the end of last season, according to ESPN’s John Keim. Talks heated up after applying the tag.
The Commanders now have two of the highest-paid defensive tackles, committing $41 million in annual average value per year to Payne and Allen. In the meantime, Payne’s new deal resets the market for a defensive tackle.
Washington is banking on Payne to progress beyond his 11.5 sacks and 25 pressures last year. The risk is that last season was just a one-hit-wonder. Payne had 14.5 sacks through his first four seasons. However, Payne improved each year since defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio arrived in 2020.
The Commanders remain committed to building its defense through the defensive line. All four of Washington’s first-round defensive linemen are under contract in 2023. Defensive end Montez Sweat will play on his fifth-year option for $11.5 million. Fellow defensive end Chase Young will enter the fourth year of his rookie contract. The team is still undecided on Young’s fifth-year option for 2024.
Payne and Allen’s deals place uncertainty about the future of Sweat and Young in Washington. For now, the focus is on win now for Washington’s head coach Ron Rivera, who will enter his fourth year with the Commanders.
Washington plans to allow 2022 fifth-round draft pick Sam Howell the opportunity to be the starting quarterback next season. Howell carries a $960,000 salary cap hit, opening the door for the Commanders to spend at other positions. The Commanders have an NFL-high $62 million committed to their defensive line for the 2023 season.
The adage is a football team starts up front. The Commanders are putting that saying to the test, paying Payne and Allen.
