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Just ahead of free agency opening this week, the Washington Commanders made a big move Sunday, agreeing to terms with defensive tackle Daron Payne on a four-year contract worth $90 million, with $60 million guaranteed.
Adam Schefter of ESPN first broke the news.
Sources: Washington’s franchise player Daron Payne became the highest-paid DT in NFL history not named Aaron Donald, reaching agreement today on a four-year, $90 million deal that includes $60 million guaranteed. pic.twitter.com/ZJsM2xnaSp
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2023
Washington applied the franchise tag to Payne last month, becoming the first NFL team to use the tag this offseason.
Payne, 25, was the No. 13 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft. In five NFL seasons, he has missed only one career game and enjoyed a breakout season in 2022 with 11.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss.
The 11.5 sacks tied the legendary Dave Butz for the most by an interior defensive lineman in Washington’s franchise history. The 18 TFLs were No. 5 in the NFL last season. Fellow defensive tackle Jonathan Allen also recorded 16 TFLs in 2022.
With Payne and Allen under long-term deals, the Commanders can now focus on defensive ends Montez Sweat and Chase Young. Sweat will be playing under his fifth-year option in 2023, while Washington has until May 1 to decide to use Young’s fifth-year option in 2024.