Daron Payne’s Future in Washington: What We Know Heading Into 2026
As the Commanders navigate another offseason of transition, one of the bigger names to watch is veteran defensive tackle Daron Payne. The 28-year-old is entering the final year of his four-year, $90 million contract - a deal that once made him one of the highest-paid interior linemen in the game. But after a 2025 season that saw his snap count dip to a career-low 61 percent, questions are starting to swirl about what comes next.
According to reports, the current dialogue between Payne and the Commanders is centered on him playing out the final year of his deal - no restructure, no pay cut, no extension. For now, the expectation is that Payne will return for his ninth season in Washington, though nothing is set in stone just yet.
Let’s be clear: Washington could free up a significant chunk of cap space - $16.75 million, to be exact - by moving on from Payne. That’s not a small number, especially for a team that’s looking to reset under new leadership.
But from what we’re hearing, the Commanders aren’t leaning toward cutting ties. At least not yet.
Payne’s journey with Washington began back in 2018 when he was selected 13th overall out of Alabama. He came in as a disruptive force on the interior, quickly establishing himself as a building block on a defense that, at times, flirted with dominance.
His rookie deal - a four-year pact worth $14.418 million with an $8.566 million signing bonus - was followed by a fifth-year option worth $8.53 million in 2022. Then came the big payday: a $90 million extension through 2026 that made it clear Washington saw him as a cornerstone.
In 2025, Payne suited up for 15 games and posted solid, if not eye-popping, numbers: 46 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, three sacks, one forced fumble, and five passes defended. The production was steady, but the dip in snap share raises eyebrows. Whether that was due to scheme changes, rotation decisions, or a shift in how the coaching staff wants to deploy its front, it’s something worth monitoring.
Payne’s presence still carries weight in the locker room and on the field. He’s a veteran voice, a proven run-stuffer, and a guy who can collapse the pocket when needed. But with a new regime potentially reshaping the roster and looking to build around younger, cheaper talent, the question becomes whether Payne still fits into the long-term vision - or if 2026 will be his final ride in burgundy and gold.
For now, all signs point to Payne returning for one more season. But as we know in the NFL, “expectations” can shift quickly - especially when big money and roster flexibility are on the line.