Washington Commanders DT Daron Payne has a favorable matchup against a weak Arizona Cardinals offensive line to begin the 2023 season. Payne made 11.5 sacks on 908 snaps in 2022. He lined up for about 66% of his snaps from the DT position and 34% as an end. He should be primed for a big game against the weak Cardinals. Cardinals quarterbacks Colt McCoy and David Blough were going down about three times a game in the dispiriting late-season games they started after Kyler Murray's injury. Now the Cardinals' offensive line is just as bad--PFF rated it as the second-worst in the NFL--and inexperienced sack-prone quarterback Joshua Dobbs is behind center.
The Washington Commanders signed star defensive tackle Daron Payne to a four-year extension worth $90 million on Sunday, according to sources. It comes after the team placed the franchise tag on Payne, and he becomes the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history not named Aaron Donald. The deal includes $60 million guaranteed. The 25-year-old led Washington in 2022 with 11.5 sacks and also added a career-high 64 tackles (32 solo), 18 tackles for loss, 20 QB hits, five passes defensed and one fumble recovery in 17 starts in his fifth NFL season. Payne is a big reason why Washington's defensive line is emerging as one of the better units in the league heading into the 2023 season.
Daron Payne Receives Franchise Tag From Washington
Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne became the first player this offseason to receive the franchise tag on Tuesday, according to sources. Payne is projected to earn $18.937 million if he plays the 2023 season on the tag. The Commanders didn't use the non-exclusive tag, so other teams can make the 25-year-old offers this offseason. Washington has had extension talks with Payne, and they'll have until July 17 to get something done to erase the franchise tag in 2023. He is a player on the rise for Washington's defense, as he led the team with 11.5 sacks in 17 games in his fifth year in the NFL.
Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said the team has had contract-extension talks with defensive tackle Daron Payne. The 25-year-old was named to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his fifth NFL season, and he led the Commanders in 2022 with 11.5 sacks while also recording a career-high 64 tackles (32 solo), 18 tackles for loss, 20 QB hits, five passes defensed and a fumble recovery in 17 starts. It was by far the most productive season of his young career, and the Commanders appear ready to reward him with a long-term extension this offseason as he enters free agency for the first time next month. Washington doesn't want their former first-round pick to get away, and with good reason.
Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne is taking part in team drills at mandatory minicamp on Tuesday after skipping voluntary organized team activities. Payne sat out of OTAs due to his contract situation, but he's back for minicamp this week to avoid being fined. The 25-year-old former first-rounder had a career-high 61 tackles (35 solo), 4.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, 15 QB hits and one fumble recovery in 17 starts in his fourth year in Washington in 2021. The Alabama product isn't expected to receive a long-term contract offer this offseason.
The Washington Redskins selected Alabama defensive tackle Da'Ron Payne at No. 13 overall in the 2018 NFL draft. Payne is a disruptive force on the defensive line and is really athletic. He can get into the backfield with ease and quickness as a hole-filler. He should start immediately on Washington's D-line. Payne didn't have a ton of sacks but tallied a lot of QB hurries and pressures.
