Commanders News: Sale update, Daron Payne, Eric Bieniemy and ESPN rankings
By Dean Jones
Which Washington Commanders' news stories are hitting the headlines as fans eagerly await the upcoming NFL owners' vote to approve the sale agreement?
With veterans on the field for their latest batch of on-field workouts on Monday, the Washington Commanders are looking forward with a sense of excitement and hope that's been seldom seen over the last two decades. The deal between Dan Snyder and the ownership group led by Josh Harris is just awaiting NFL approval, but it's already come with jubilant celebration given how final things appear from the outside looking in.
There seems to be more balance to the gossip and rumors right now. Among the stories causing conversation recently include Washington's standing in ESPN's latest power rankings, Daron Payne's big award, the team's offensive structure under Eric Bieniemy, and a respected insider providing more insight into the Commanders' sale.
Let's delve into each topic in more detail.
Story No. 1
Commanders DT Daron Payne wins award
Things have been going pretty well for Daron Payne lately. The mammoth defensive tackle enjoyed a standout campaign in 2022 en route to his first Pro Bowl appearance, which made the decision to hand him a lucrative long-term deal an easy one when push came to shove.
Payne's efforts were further recognized by the Quarterback Club at the Burgundy and Gold Gala, who crowned the former Alabama star their Washington Player of the Year. An award he was quick to dedicate to his mother, who remains his inspiration through the good times and the bad.
"She's been through so much in her life. She deals with lupus and kidney failure on the daily, but she still made sure to put me first and make sure she could show up for me every day."
- Daron Payne via Commanders.com
Hopefully, for Payne and the Commanders, his recent upward trend is something that can continue long into the future.