Daron Payne focused on winning, not money

USA Today

31-07-2025

I had a great sit down interview with Daron Payne after today's practice.The big fella entering Year 8 in Washington. It's also the final year of his contract.Daron told me, "I'm just having fun...just grinding. I got all the money I want." pic.twitter.com/b72Y9UXe51
Daron Payne wants to be one of the main reasons.
The former Alabama defensive tackle has been a Redskin/Commander since being drafted in the first round (13 overall) by Washington in 2018. Yet, not until 2024 did Payne enjoy a winning season in the NFL. That's right, Washington had not had a winning record since the 2015 and 2016 seasons when Kirk Cousins was the starting quarterback. Last season, the Commanders turned everything around in Washington, shocking the NFL world by winning 12 regular-season games and two road playoff games.
"Man, we were in a good place last year, and I want to be one of the reasons we get to the Super Bowl," Payne told Scott Abraham on Tuesday, following practice. It's important to Payne, seeing all of those seasons without a winning record. Payne certainly realizes success is not going to be automatic in 2025, simply because there was success in 2024 for the Commanders.
While Terry McLaurin's contract drama dominates the headlines for the Commanders, money is not an issue for Payne. Abraham mentioned to Payne on Tuesday that this is Payne's final contract year. Payne responded, "I'm just playing ball. Right now, I'm at the point in my career where I am just having fun. Everything I do is fun to me, like working hard, being out here in the sun, playing with these guys, it is fun."
It's worth noting that Payne actually has two more seasons remaining on the contract he signed in 2023.
Abraham noted that, being a contract year, players may view the year differently. Payne expressed, "Yeah man, I got all the money I want. So, I'm really just (pause)..." Payne then talked of how last year was a special year.
This will be the first NFL season for Payne without former Alabama and Washington teammate Jonathan Allen. In 2022, Payne enjoyed a career-high 11.5 quarterback sacks in his contract year. Other career highs that season were his 64 total tackles (32 solo, 32 assists) and 18 tackles for loss and 20 quarterback hits.
Payne has been extremely reliable, missing only one game in his seven NFL seasons. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 320 pounds, Payne turned age 28 in May.