Adam Peters is gearing up for a critical offseason. The Washington Commanders are in desperate need of another roster overhaul, with getting younger and more dynamic high on their list of priorities. This bears even more significance on the defensive side, which was once again lackluster beyond comprehension in 2025.
Much of the fans' focus is on potential incomings. Free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft are fast approaching. However, Peters also faces some difficult conundrums with some of his current players who remain under contract.
One of those is Daron Payne. The defensive tackle has one more year on his $90 million contract, and he may want to get paid ahead of time. Based on his production levels and lack of consistency since his Pro Bowl campaign in 2022, that represents a gamble Peters may not be willing to make.
PFF analyst believes Commanders could trade Daron Payne this offseason
Bradley Locker from Pro Football Focus put Payne's future under a microscope. The analyst thought the player's regression, coupled with being the team's highest salary-cap hit in 2026, could see Peters look to offload the interior force as part of his youth movement if the right offer comes along.
"The longtime Washington standout has declined of late, playing three straight seasons with an overall PFF grade below 61.5. Payne has had particular issues against the run, as his 44.9 PFF run-defense grade is 25th out of 32 qualified defensive tackles since 2024. Moreover, his pass-rush win rate has not exceeded 7.7% since 2023. Tying for the 10th-highest annual average value at the position, Payne is not performing to the level of his lucrative contract. Now 28 and a free agent after next season, the Commanders may shed some payroll and pursue younger upgrades."Bradley Locker, PFF
It's a growing opinion, that's for sure. Payne didn't exactly have the best supporting cast around him this season, and he was solid enough in terms of run-stop win rate. At the same time, the Commanders are paying him like an elite-level game-wrecker. Nobody would say he's been that throughout the duration of this deal.
The Commanders could extend him to help ease their cap burden in the short term. Payne may improve once other defensive options are upgraded, but it's risky. If there is any semblance of doubt, that's when Peters could potentially gauge the market.
Trading the former Alabama standout would save the Commanders $16.75 million on their cap with $11.2 million in dead money. It would leave another gaping hole to fill, so Payne's status could legitimately go either way.
Peters won't hesitate to do what he believes is necessary. But he'd better be right on this one.
Otherwise, the repercussions will be severe.