Daron Payne’s payday result of how he handled 2022

If it were up to his agent, Daron Payne would have handled last offseason a bit differently. After the Commanders failed to offer him a long-term contract extension in 2022, the defensive tackle said his representative wanted him to skip offseason workouts and hold out for a new deal. 

But Payne didn’t go that route — he likes football too much to voluntarily sit out, he said.

“I wanted to be here for the team,” Payne said. “I wanted to be around the guys.”

Payne’s effort to put in the work not only led to a breakout year, but it sent a message to the Commanders’ brass that ultimately paid off with a four-year, $90 million deal that became official Monday when the defensive tackle signed the new contract.

The 2018 first-round got the financial security he wanted, with $46 million — including a $28 million signing bonus — guaranteed at signing, and another $14 million likely to be earned in practical guarantees. And the Commanders benefited from getting the deal done early, which helped clear up additional cap space that they used to shore up their offensive line on the first day of free agency. 

Still, the decision not to extend Payne last offseason likely meant the Commanders ended up having to pay more after the veteran had a Pro Bowl year.

“Honestly … I was having a bunch of fun,” said Payne, who tied a franchise record for defensive tackles with 11½ sacks. “That was the best time I had playing football. I was just really out there trying to one-up myself every game and have as much fun as I could.” 

Payne said he’ll have to set new goals now that his contract is done. Beyond the money, Payne said he wanted to stay with the Commanders because he felt the team was “one little piece” away from contending. And he was glad to stay with teammate Jonathan Allen, who has been dominant playing alongside Payne dating back to their time at Alabama together. 

Payne’s deal also got done quicker than most expected as Washington gave him the franchise tag just weeks earlier. But Payne said that he was told by coach Ron Rivera after the season that Washington always planned to give him the tag with the objective of securing a long-term deal. 

Both sides made it happen, even if the reality of the deal hadn’t quite hit Payne as of Monday afternoon.

“Probably when I actually see the change in my bank account,” Payne said, “it’ll probably settle in.”