Commanders DT Daron Payne Looking to 'Take It Up a Notch'

If Daron Payne's play in 2022 is a sign of things to come, he could be on the verge of becoming one of the best defensive tackles in football. 

The Washington Commanders defensive tackle set career-highs in nearly every major category for his position in 2022, earning him his first Pro Bowl appearance. With training camp on the horizon, Payne said that he's been preparing to have an even better season. 

"I was able to make a whole lot more plays, and it really made the game way more fun," Payne said. "I’m going to try to do that same thing and then try to take it up a notch and get some more sacks and make some more disruptive plays."

Payne, who played collegiately at Alabama and was the No. 13 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, had 11.5 sacks, 64 tackles, 18 tackles-for-loss, 20 quarterback hits and five passes defended, all of which were career highs. His play in a contract year led to him getting a new deal with the Commanders. Payne signed four-year, $90 million extension with $59 million guaranteed. 

“It just feels good not to have to worry about the confusion,” Payne said. “I just get to go out here and play football. I get to invest a lot into myself...I'm about to start doing a lot of stuff for kids in my hometown in Birmingham Alabama. 

Payne was an anchor for a defense that was seventh in points allowed in 2022. If he can improve after a career season, Washington's defense may continue to level up along with Payne.