Latest news with #DaronPayne
USA Today
31-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Daron Payne focused on winning, not money
I had a great sit down interview with Daron Payne after today's big fella entering Year 8 in Washington. It's also the final year of his told me, "I'm just having grinding. I got all the money I want." 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.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Commanders' Daron Payne Tabbed as 'Player to Root For' in 2025
Commanders' Daron Payne Tabbed as 'Player to Root For' in 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. For the past seven seasons, both Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne have plugged the middle of the Washington Commanders' defensive line. Heading into 2025, Payne will be doing it without Allen, who has moved on to the Minnesota Vikings in free agency. Both head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. have been vocal with praise about Payne this offseason, and most think he can take a leap in 2025 now that he's out of Allen's shadow on the defensive line. Payne is an easy guy to root for, and Tom Blair placed him on a list with the "players to root for" in 2025. "Many of us are already rooting for Jayden Daniels, because, duh, and for Terry McLaurin, because he's A) very good and B) paid his dues in the extreme as a mainstay of the franchise's pre-Daniels days," Blair wrote. "How about giving some love to the other roster stalwart who has Really Gone Through It in Washington? Jonathan Allen's departure this offseason leaves Payne (drafted 13th overall in 2018) as one of the longest-tenured Commanders, someone who's started 84 straight regular-season games for the team -- just 38 of which ended in victory, including 12 last season. The 28-year-old is as deserving as anyone of reveling in Washington's transformation into a legit contender. "All the better if Payne, whose pressure rate and sack totals dipped after an 11.5-sack 2022 season, can translate the positive buzz he's been generating to a renewed dominance on the field." ESPN stopped just short of adding Payne to its "top 10 defensive tackles" in the NFL, but he did receive votes. And he should be easy to root for on an offense with a lot of other fun players to cheer for in 2025. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Commanders' players seem to approve of new uniforms
Jeremy Reaves has been with the Washington Commanders since 2018. Only punter Tress Way and defensive tackle Daron Payne have been with the franchise longer. Sure, Reaves was cut a few times early in his tenure, but he always re-signed, spent much time on the practice squad until making the team out of training camp in 2022. Reaves, along with Way, Payne, wide receiver Terry McLaurin and assistant coach Ryan Kerrigan, are the only current members of the franchise to play for the Redskins, Football Team, and Commanders. So, Reaves has worn the "new" Washington uniforms before. One of the most popular players on the team, Reaves, shared his excitement on social media after seeing how happy the new uniforms made the fans. Reaves was one of the Washington players to see the uniforms before they were revealed. Here's Reaves seeing his No. 39 in the traditional look. Payne also appeared to approve of the change. Quarterback Jayden Daniels got in on the fun, too. The Commanders will wear the uniforms at least three times next season. They announced three games and can also wear them for a fourth game. They have yet to announce a fourth game. Advertisement This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders' players approve of new uniforms
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Which Commanders' defender had a surprising offseason?
Daron Payne is entering his eighth NFL season in 2025 — all with the Washington Commanders. A former first-round pick, Payne enjoyed a breakout season in 2022, earning a lucrative four-year extension that made him one of the NFL's highest-paid interior defenders before his production dipped over the last two seasons. Payne will man the middle of Washington's defensive line for the first time in his career without former college teammate Jonathan Allen. The Commanders released Allen in a salary cap move earlier in the offseason. Not only is Payne now Washington's most senior player outside of punter Tress Way, he's also assumed more of a leadership role. Advertisement Earlier this offseason, defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. praised Payne. So did head coach Dan Quinn. "The guy that, to me, he just looks really good, he looks intentful, Daron Payne, man, like every day this dude is, I'm having to tell him, 'Hey man, let's calm down,'" Whitt said about Payne. Quinn said Payne enjoyed a "remarkable" offseason. 'You know, it's funny that you brought him up, but I walked past him today," Quinn said. "I said, man, you've had a remarkable offseason. I felt that way through the drill work, through the skill, and everyone you just see something that jumps out differently, that's into a new space." Advertisement Washington needs Payne. And he understands the team is counting on him. ESPN's John Keim recently named Payne as his biggest surprise for Washington this offseason. It's not so much about his performance on the field -- it's impossible to tell much about linemen because they're not in pads. But, rather, what stood out with Payne was what others saw from him. Coach Dan Quinn said he had a "laser focus" this spring. Washington needs more from Payne this season. After recording 11.5 sacks in a contract year in 2022 he has posted a combined eight the past two seasons. But more than sack totals, Payne needs to be felt more in the pass rush. In 2020-22, he had 96 pass rush wins and a win rate of 11.6 percent. In the past two years he has had 39 wins and a 7.6 percent win rate. Payne isn't in a contract year but could be cut next offseason for a $16 million savings. If Payne can repeat his 2022 production or similar, the Commanders' defense is guaranteed to improve in 2025. Washington added Javon Kinlaw, Deatrich Wise, and Eddie Goldman this offseason to better defend the run. A refocused Payne is an even bigger addition than any of the newcomers. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: It was a surprising offseason for Commanders' DT Daron Payne
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Commanders' Daron Payne Takes On New Role Amid Major Change
Commanders' Daron Payne Takes On New Role Amid Major Change originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Washington Commanders gave emerged as a title contender after some fantastic play from quarterback Jayden Daniels in his rookie season. But the defensive side of the ball won't be the same. Advertisement Back at the beginning of March, the team decided to release their star defensive lineman, Jonathan Allen, after they were unable to find a trade partner for him. As a result, someone will have to step up in his place. The prime candidate to do that is veteran defensive tackle Daron Payne. And in a recent article by ESPN's John Keim, he thinks that he can do just that. "Payne's contract was an issue in 2022, but he recorded a career-high 11.5 sacks and earned a four-year extension worth up to $90 million," Keim wrote. "Multiple people in the organization singled him out during OTA work, also saying he appears more relaxed and a little more outgoing." Allen has been one of the leaders of the Commanders' defense for just under a decade, so losing him is not going to be an easy thing to recover from. But Payne is looking to make that transition as smooth as possible. Advertisement The 28-year-old defensive tackle has finished with four sacks each of the last two seasons, but that does not mean that he cannot get to the quarterback. Just a few seasons ago in 2022, Payne had 11.5 sacks, which placed him 12th in the entire NFL at the time. The Commanders have taken a lot of pride in their defense over the last several seasons, and Payne will be looking to make sure that does not change in 2025. Related: Insider Reveals Commanders Plans For Upgrade In Key Area Related: Commanders' Draft Steal Already 'Trending in Right Direction' This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
