Daron Payne’s Future in Washington Is Murky - And the Clock’s Ticking
A year ago, the Commanders moved on from Jonathan Allen, parting ways with a former first-round pick who had grown visibly frustrated in Washington. The decision felt like a turning point - a signal that the team was ready to reset its defensive identity.
With Allen gone, the front office, led by Adam Peters, leaned into youth and upside. Johnny Newton was entering Year 2, and Javon Kinlaw came in as a splashy free-agent signing.
Daron Payne remained, but now his future is just as uncertain as Allen’s was this time last year.
There’s no official word yet, but the writing may already be on the wall. Rumors are swirling - trade talks, potential release, or letting him play out the final year of his deal. No matter the scenario, it’s hard to shake the feeling that Payne’s days in Washington are numbered.
The Last Man Standing
Payne is the final pillar of what was once supposed to be a dominant defensive line - a four-year run of first-round picks that included Allen, Montez Sweat, and Chase Young. That group was built to be the foundation of a title-contending defense: relentless, physical, and disruptive. But somewhere between the draft room and the field, that vision fell apart.
Injuries didn’t help. Neither did coaching instability or questionable schematics.
And while each player had flashes, the unit never gelled into the force it was meant to be. The Commanders began dismantling it even before Peters arrived.
Now, Payne is the lone holdover from that era - and even that may not last much longer.
A Season to Forget
If the Commanders were hoping Payne would anchor the next iteration of their defense, 2025 didn’t offer much reassurance. His production dipped - sacks hit a low not seen since 2020, and for the second straight year, he failed to crack 50 tackles. That’s a notable drop for a player who had never dipped below that mark until 2024.
But the numbers weren’t the only concern. In a midseason blowout loss to Detroit, Payne was ejected and handed a suspension that kept him out of the following game - a winnable matchup against Miami.
Washington lost in overtime, a gut-punch of a defeat that extended their losing streak to six and effectively ended their playoff hopes. It was one of the NFL’s showcase international games, and the Commanders’ best interior lineman wasn’t on the field.
Thin Depth, Uncertain Direction
Despite the struggles, Payne remains Washington’s best defensive tackle - and it’s not particularly close. But that says more about the state of the depth chart than it does about his current ceiling.
Newton and Kinlaw haven’t yet shown they can step into lead roles. The interior is thin, and even with a new defensive coordinator coming in, there’s no clear answer on how the scheme might shift - or how Payne fits into it.
At 28, Payne should be in his prime. He’s got the experience, the physical tools, and the pedigree.
But leadership only goes so far when performance lags and consistency becomes a question mark. With a new regime trying to build a sustainable future, the question becomes whether Payne is part of that foundation - or just another piece of the past.
What Comes Next?
This is where things get tricky. The Commanders could opt to keep Payne for the final year of his contract, hoping he rebounds under a new coordinator and potentially earns an extension. Or they could follow the Allen blueprint and move on early, clearing cap space and handing the reins to younger players.
The presence of a new defensive staff adds another layer of uncertainty. A potential shift to a 3-4 base front could change Payne’s role entirely - or make him an awkward fit altogether. Until we see how the new system takes shape, it’s tough to know whether Payne is seen as a core piece or a misfit.
One thing is clear: the Commanders are in the middle of a full-scale rebuild, and sentiment won’t carry much weight. Payne has been a fixture in Washington, second in tenure only to punter Tress Way. But unless something changes - and fast - he may soon be the latest high-profile name to exit the building.
The countdown has already started.