Commanders expected to franchise tag Daron Payne
The Washington Commanders will be placing a franchise tag on Pro Bowl defensive tackle Daron Payne on Tuesday, per Ben Standig of the Athletic. Washington is locking up Payne for next year on the first day that the franchise tag window is open.
Payne was a monster in his age-25 season. The 320-pound Alabama product posted 18 tackles for loss, 64 tackles, and 11.5 sacks.
According to OverTheCap, franchise tags on defensive tackles in 2023 will be $18,937,000.
Payne was hoping to get an extension like his defensive tackle comrade, current teammate, and best friend, Jonathan Allen. Per Pro Football Network, Payne was ranked as the No. 21 best defensive tackle in football last season, 13 spots behind Allen’s No. 8 ranking. I think that rating is too low, but so be it.
Washington signed Allen to a four-year, $72 million deal in 2021. It looks like Payne will have to wait at least another year for a deal like Allen’s, potentially not in a Commanders uniform.
It will be impossible for Washington to retain their entire defensive line pretty soon. With Allen’s contract on the books and Payne’s franchise tag, they still will need to pay Chase Young and Montez Sweat soon.
I would assume Payne sees the writing on the wall of this situation at some point. There are just too many guys that deserve big bags for one position group.
Washington won’t be able to pay for all of them. I mean maybe they can pay all of them, but that might be the dumbest roster-building move ever. They have plenty of other holes to fill.
The franchise tag window will remain open until March 7. Some big names are expected to be tagged like Daniel Jones or Josh Jacobs. Payne fits in with this class of stars.
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