The Commanders should be prepared to exceed the contract given to Jonathan Allen to keep arguably the best interior defensive line tandem together long term. Allen signed a four-year, $72 million extension, averaging $18 million per year, in 2021.
Payne should be one of the beneficiaries of Aaron Donald dramatically resetting the market of interior defensive lineman. Donald signed a three-year, $95 million deal, averaging $31,666,667 per year, in June. There is a huge gap between Donald and the next highest-paid interior defensive lineman (DeForest Buckner/Leonard Williams) at $21 million per year. Donald’s deal averages nearly 51% more. Expect this gap to be closed during the upcoming offseason.
A franchise tag could be in order for Payne. The 2023 defensive tackle number projects to $18.954 million if next year’s salary cap is set at $225 million.
