The Washington Football Team exercised the fifth-year option of defensive tackle Daron Payne on Monday. The move will guarantee Payne a salary of $8.529 million for the 2022 season.
The No. 13 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft out of Alabama, Payne has played in 47 out of a possible 48 games in his three-year NFL career. He has made 41 starts for Washington.
Payne has a total of 166 tackles, including 16 for loss with 10 sacks in his career.
Payne is the second of Washington’s four defensive linemen selected in the first round of the NFL draft in the last four years. Former college teammate, Jonathan Allen, had his fifth-year option picked up last spring.
The Football Team is interested in re-signing Allen to a long-term deal, and it would surprise no one if something got done before the season. Payne and wide receiver Terry McLaurin would then become the next candidates for long-term deals as Washington looks to keep its young core in place.
As expected, the Washington Football Team is officially exercising the fifth-year option for DT Daron Payne, per source. Worth ~$8.5M (playing time), fully guaranteed.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) April 26, 2021