By admin 
The last time Daron Payne was due for a contract extension, he had an explosive 2022 campaign in which he nearly tripled his sack production from the year before. Heading into 2026, Payne’s original four-year extension is set to expire at the end of the season, with contract negotiations not expected to begin until after the year is up.
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During his breakout year in 2022, Payne recorded a career-high 11.5 sacks, a total that took him 3 1/2 years to achieve. However, since that dominant performance, Payne’s production has been nearly nonexistent. After being shifted to the left side of the nose tackle position, where he recorded those strong stats, Payne was moved back to the right side, where his production dropped off significantly. Payne has yet to eclipse four sacks in each of his last three seasons and recorded a mere eight quarterback hits in 2025.
Now 29 years old, Payne’s $27.9 million cap hit becomes more of a red flag for the front office as it tries to fix one of the league’s worst defensive units from the year before. Taking up 9.28% of Washington’s cap space, he’s the largest earner on the team by a noticeable margin; offensive tackle Sam Cosmi earns $20.2 million. While the age may be a concern for some, Payne has missed a total of just three games due to injury and one suspension during his entire career.
Potential suitors for Payne
Moving away from Daron Payne would clear up a great deal of cap space and allow third-year defensive lineman Jer’Zhan Newton to step into a more prominent role than before. It’s unlikely the Commanders would get anything higher than a fourth-round pick for an aging lineman entering the last year of his contract, but it’s worth pondering what a return package for Payne could look like.
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After landing Dexter Lawrence in a trade from the Giants, the Bengals are looking to “retool” their defensive line rather than “rebuild” following the departure of Trey Hendrickson. The Bengals could likely send a 2027 fifth- or sixth-round pick and safety Bryan Cook in exchange for Payne, as it would create depth in the secondary for Washington and allow Cincinnati to do whatever it can to try to stop Baltimore and Derrick Henry twice a year.
Still working through their years-long rebuild, the Raiders are always in the market for new talent, and a veteran presence like Payne could be exactly what they need in the locker room. They would have to adjust other contracts to absorb the cap hit Payne would create, but given the lack of star power across their defensive unit outside of Maxx Crosby, the Raiders need all the help they can get.
Like the Raiders, the Chicago Bears lack depth and power in the front seven of their defense. Reuniting with former Washington teammate Montez Sweat, Payne could make a noticeable difference on day one, as the Bears could show a stronger front in 4-3 formations and allow their secondary to sit back and let the plays come to them.
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This story was originally published July 14, 2026 at 8:00 AM.