Is Daron Payne causing controversy at Commanders OTAs?

Every team in the NFL deals with distractions at OTAs. Whether it be injuries, extension-eligible players holding out seeking a new contract, or supposed team leaders not showing up because they have better things to do, there isn’t one team that isn’t navigating controversy this early into the spring.

Ironically, the Washington Commanders‘ underlying distraction just so happens to involve their promotional poster and fan favorite player, Terry McLaurin, who hasn’t reported to the team since the draft as he negotiates an extension.

Though concerning, McLaurin’s holdout hasn’t incited panic. As an upstanding professional who handles himself like a 10-year veteran despite just wrapping his third NFL season, the expectation is McLaurin will report to the team once talks get settled and grind with his teammates as if nothing happened.

Unfortunately, we don’t have an explanation for Washington’s latest bit of OTA controversy. According to The Athletic’s Ben Standig, Daron Payne walked off the practice field Tuesday because he was “angry” about his contract situation as he enters the final year of his rookie contract.

Commanders DT Daron Payne reportedly walked off the practice field Tuesday disgruntled over his contract situation.

On the surface, this isn’t a great look at Payne. But we wouldn’t overreact just yet. The former first-round defensive tackle is well aware Washington wasn’t planning to offer him a contract extension and he still reported to OTAs anyway.

There’s something to be said for that. After all, the Commanders’ not extending Payne has nothing to do with their evaluation of him as a player. After extending Jonathan Allen last offseason, it would be franchise malpractice to sign another DL to a long-term deal when Terry McLaurin, a franchise cornerstone who plays a position that’s skyrocketed in importance over the years, also due for a pay day.

Standig’s report says Payne walked over to the side field, which is typically reserved for injured players. The soon-to-be 25-year-old isn’t nursing an injury, but he could be looking out for his bests interests so as to not risk injury in a contract year. Does a player of Payne’s caliber really need to be a full-participant in OTAs?

Probably not, even if it sets a poor example. But that’s the kicker. In the same report, Standig noted Payne participated in team meetings and a team weightlifting session, seemingly indicating he’s conducting himself like a pro.

Better still? Payne came out on Twitter and put a stop to the speculation that he walked out of practice. Not only that, but Jonathan Allen came to Payne’s defense in an awesome reply. Sure seems like a nothing-burger!

It’s unclear if Payne and Washington are at a crossroads or what’s to come of his short-term future, but the verbiage of these reports suggest the Alabama product isn’t causing controversy or becoming a distraction at OTAs.

That’s pretty admirable of Payne considering he played the most snaps of any Commanders defensive linemen last season and set career-highs in tackles and quarterback hits and is only set to make $8.529 million in 2022.