What is Daron Payne's future with the Washington Commanders?

Payne, 29, is entering his ninth NFL season in 2016. The No. 13 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Payne has spent his entire career in Washington. Before last season, when he missed two games, Payne had only missed one game in his first seven seasons, which is extremely impressive for an interior defender.

Payne is entering the final year of a four-year extension he signed in 2023. After a breakout 2022 season in which he had a career-high 64 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks, Washington made Payne the second-highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL at the time, with a four-year deal worth $90 million.

Over the past three seasons, Payne has had a combined 11 sacks. Whether coincidence or not, Payne seems to perform his best when he's playing for a new contract. With Payne playing on the final year of his deal in 2026, were the Commanders interested in extending him?

After one of last week's OTA practices in Ashburn, Payne was asked if he was hopeful he could come to an agreement with the Commanders on a new contract before training camp begins next month.

"I'm just playing football, man," Payne responded.

So, have Payne's representatives and the Commanders discussed a new deal?

"Not that I know of," he said.

This shouldn't come as a surprise. GM Adam Peters said after the 2025 season that Laremy Tunsil was the only significant extension they'd likely discuss in this offseason. That did get done, making Tunsil, once again, the NFL's highest-paid offensive lineman.

It's clear the Commanders like Payne. They could've traded him in either of the last two offseasons. He has the highest cap number ($27.5 million) in 2026, yet Washington was content to let Payne play on that deal. Perhaps Peters wants to see an extra-motivated Payne this season. Even if he has a big year, it doesn't mean Washington will want to pursue another long-term deal with Payne, given he'll be 30 in 2027.

The 2026 season is a make-or-break one for Payne's future in Washington, something he likely knows. He appears ready for the challenge.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: What is Daron Payne's future beyond 2026?