3 reasons Commanders extending Daron Payne was the right call

Daron Payne embodies the Commanders’ newfound culture

The times are changing within the Washington Commanders.

No longer does Dan Snyder oversee football personnel matters with an iron fist. There are now real football men leading the charge, which is something that should benefit the franchise moving forward.

Daron Payne’s extension is the embodiment of a changing culture in Washington. There’s a real preference for drafting, developing, and rewarding established stars rather than letting them walk for nothing – which enables the front office to build around a tremendous young core in pursuit of getting back to NFL relevancy.

Payne’s production last season meant the Commanders didn’t have much of a choice despite the presence of Phidarian Mathis on the roster. Even so, fans were right to have some sense of trepidation after everything that’s gone on under the Snyder reign.

This should alleviate any concerns about how influential figures within the franchise not named Snyder are going about their business. And attention now turns to free agency, where the Commanders began by reinforcing their offensive line after securing agreements with Andrew Wylie and Nick Gates.

One thing’s for sure, any new lineman on offense is going to get a crash course adjustment from Payne and Washington’s other gifted individuals on the defensive front.