Commanders put franchise tag on DT Payne

The Washington Commanders have put the franchise tag on defensive tackle Daron Payne, solving one of their biggest offseason problems by keeping the standout player under contract following the best season of his NFL career.

We have applied the franchise tag to DT Daron Payne

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) February 28, 2023

The 25-year-old Payne will earn just over $18.9 million if he plays on the franchise tag next season, a likelihood given Washington already had extended fellow Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen and still need to determine a course of action on pass rushers Montez Sweat and Chase Young.

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“Daron is an important part of what we’re doing,” general manager Martin Mayhew said at a season-ending news conference.

“He’s always been disruptive. He’s always been in the back field, he’s always been around the ball. This was the first year he really was finishing the way that he finished this year, so he played outstanding football for us.”

However, even after drafting yet another Crimson Tide defensive tackle, Phidarian Mathis, in the second round last year as Payne’s projected replacement, the Commanders had to figure out a way to keep the accomplished veteran in the fold.

Payne led the team with a career-high 11 1/2 sacks and went to the Pro Bowl after Mathis was lost to a season-ending knee injury.