Why Daron Payne Might Still Be a Cornerstone for the Commanders in 2026
Heading into the offseason, there was plenty of buzz around Daron Payne’s future in Washington - and not the good kind. With a $27.95 million cap hit looming in 2026 and a 2025 campaign that didn’t exactly light up the stat sheet, many assumed the Commanders would move on from the former first-round pick.
But inside the building? The tone sounds very different.
According to team sources, the Commanders remain high on Payne, and there’s a real possibility he plays out the final year of his deal - maybe even earns a long-term extension down the line. Contrary to public perception, Payne’s 2025 season was viewed positively by the coaching staff and even opposing offensive coordinators, who reportedly still game-planned around him. That says something.
Payne’s Value Goes Beyond the Stat Sheet
Let’s be clear: Payne didn’t replicate his 2022 Pro Bowl season, when he racked up 11.5 sacks and looked like one of the most disruptive interior linemen in the league. But production isn’t always about numbers. In 2025, he remained a central force on the interior, eating up blocks, collapsing pockets, and anchoring a defensive front that, frankly, didn’t get much help from the edges or the secondary.
Multiple offensive coaches who faced Washington last season pointed to Payne and the Commanders’ interior line as the biggest concern on their scouting reports. That kind of respect from opponents doesn’t come easy - and it doesn’t fade quickly either.
A New Scheme, A New Opportunity
With Daronte Jones stepping in as the new defensive coordinator, the Commanders are expected to shift toward a more creative 3-4 base scheme. That could be a game-changer for Payne. If Jones sees him as a fit at nose tackle - a role that requires both strength and intelligence to control the line of scrimmage - Payne could thrive as the anchor of a revamped front.
He’s got the size, the experience, and the motor to take on that kind of responsibility. And if the pieces around him improve - especially at linebacker and on the edge - it could free him up to be more disruptive than he was last year.
Cap Space Isn’t the Issue - It’s the Commitment
Financially, Washington can afford to keep Payne on the books at his current number. The team has enough cap flexibility to absorb his $27.95 million hit without derailing their plans to rebuild the roster. That gives them the luxury of patience - they don’t have to make a rushed decision.
Letting him play out the final year of his deal is a calculated move. It gives the Commanders a full season to evaluate how Payne fits in Jones’ system, how he responds to the challenge, and whether he’s still the kind of player you build a defense around.
If he delivers, a multi-year extension could be back on the table. If not, they can walk away clean.
What’s at Stake for Payne
This is a pivotal year for Payne, plain and simple. His last contract season produced the best numbers of his career - and the Commanders would love to see that version of him again. If he can recapture that level of play, not only will he earn another big payday, but he could also cement his role as a leader on a defense that’s searching for identity.
Cutting him now would create another hole on a unit that already needs major reinforcements. Keeping him gives the team a proven presence in the trenches and a chance to see if he can still be a difference-maker.
So while the outside noise might suggest Payne’s time in Washington is winding down, the reality is far more nuanced. He’s still in the mix.
Still valued. Still with something to prove.
And come 2026, that might be exactly what the Commanders need.