3 Commanders who could get paid next after Daron Payne deal
By Dean Jones
Which Washington Commanders players could be next in line for new contracts after the team tied down defensive tackle Daron Payne long-term?
Ron Rivera made no secret about his biggest priority heading into free agency. The Washington Commanders had to keep stud defensive tackle Daron Payne around no matter what.
Thankfully, this was a straightforward process from the outside looking in.
Placing the franchise tag on Payne early prevented him from exploring offers from elsewhere in free agency. This was swiftly followed by a four-year, $90 million deal that included a $28 million signing bonus and $59 million guaranteed.
This locks down one of the league’s best defensive fronts next season. But others on the roster are also looking for a more significant, longer-term financial commitment in the not-too-distant future that must also be taken care of.
With this in mind, here are three Commanders players who could get paid next after Payne’s status was officially confirmed.
Player No. 1
Curtis Samuel – Commanders WR
Curtis Samuel could be set for a phenomenal season with Eric Bieniemy controlling the offense. His unique skill set is something that the new assistant head coach/offensive coordinator will implement heavily within his scheme, with the wide receiver also embarking on a contract year for additional motivation.
To avoid paying Samuel more in the long run or losing the former Ohio State star entirely, getting an extension sorted out before the 2023 season should be considered. Something that would also get their cap number down with just $2.95 million available currently.