Adam Peters has a lot of hard work ahead of him. The Washington Commanders' roster is in desperate need of another overhaul, and the choices made by those in power will likely shape the franchise's long-term future.
There is one massive conundrum facing Peters. And it centers on one of the team's longest-serving players.
Daron Payne's been through a lot in Washington since joining the franchise as a first-round pick in 2018. He's played under three team brands, endured almost endless misery, and had one appearance in the NFC Championship game. He's been a rare constant, but his future looks more precarious than ever heading into the spring.
Payne has one more year remaining on his deal. The former Alabama standout penned a four-year, $90 million contract in 2023 after reaching the Pro Bowl the previous season. Although his performances have been relatively consistent overall, the Commanders were expecting much more from this massive investment.
When the Commanders parted ways with Jonathan Allen, it represented Payne's chance to showcase his credentials as the alpha dog on the defensive front. After a strong start to the campaign, things have tailed off dramatically. He's still flashing moments of pure dominance, especially in pass-rushing situations, but his overall output remains wildly inconsistent.
That's a problem. Payne is counting $28.01 million against the salary cap next year. The former Alabama standout might not want to play without another contract extension on the table. This puts Peters in a predicament that the interior force might not like.
Payne could decide to play out the last year of his deal before a decision is required. If not, the Commanders could either extend him or look for a suitable trade offer, depending on the interest.
There should be a market for Payne. The Commanders also need to bolster their draft assets with only six selections in 2026 — two of which are in the first four rounds. If no willing suitor comes forward, then the prospect of releasing the eight-year pro couldn't be dismissed entirely either.
Cutting or trading Payne saves the Commanders $16.81 million on their 2026 cap with $11.2 million in dead money. Nothing has been confirmed one way or another, but the chances of getting another deal ahead of time are seemingly over.
Payne's performances haven't warranted it. Fans have been frustrated with the lineman. They expected his 11.5-sack campaign in 2022 to be the start of a dominant prime for the player. That hasn't materialized, so it wouldn't be a shock to see the defensive tackle and the Commanders go their separate ways.
Time will tell…