An ESPN trade candidate list has put Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne in the spotlight, and the number attached to it is hard to ignore: the outlet’s analytics gave Washington a 25 percent chance of moving on from one of its best defenders.
Payne’s contract situation is a big part of why he landed on the list. ESPN pointed to the Commanders’ decision to deal key defensive pieces at the deadline three years ago and suggested they could face a similar call with Payne, who is 29, still has value, and is a 2027 free agent with a $16.4 million base this year.
At the same time, the article noted that the NFC East remains winnable despite Washington’s 1-4-1 record, which could work in favor of keeping him. Jacksonville was mentioned as a possible fit, with the Jaguars said to be in the market for a versatile interior player with pass-rush ability and to have been looking for that since the offseason.
From Washington’s side, dealing Payne would be a tough sell if the goal is to stay in the playoff race. He has been a steady presence through a rash of injuries around him, and availability has been one of his calling cards over the course of his career. Payne has missed only three games in his nine NFL seasons and has played in every game for the Commanders this year.
Production-wise, he has delivered as well. Payne has a sack this season and ranks third on the team in tackles for loss behind K’Lavon Chaisson and Odafe Oweh. He also showed up in a major moment when he forced a fumble in overtime against the New York Giants, giving Washington a chance to win.
If the Commanders do trade him, it would send a clear message about how they view the season.
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Commanders Suddenly Need Unproven Help In Their Biggest Test Yet
The Commanders are heading into their Week 8 matchup with Philadelphia in a far different spot than they expected, with injuries forcing the roster to absorb some serious losses on both sides of the ball. The absence of Daron Payne leaves a major hole up front, while the offense also has to move on without Terry McLaurin, a setback that changes the look of the passing game and puts even more pressure on the rest of the lineup.
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Terry McLaurins Future In Washington Suddenly Feels Far Less Certain
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McLaurin will miss out on some of the incentives and bonuses tied to playing time and performance, and that only adds another layer to a situation that already feels more complicated than it did a year ago. Washington could look at restructuring the deal, or it could make roster decisions with an eye toward where McLaurin stands physically and how the locker room looks as leadership continues to evolve. [Read more 🡒]