Commanders put franchise tag on defensive tackle Daron Payne
By STEPHEN WHYNO
AP Sports Writer
The Washington Commanders have put the franchise tag on standout defensive tackle Daron Payne. The tag is worth just over $18.9 million for next season. Payne was set to become a free agent next month after Washington previously did not pick up his fifth-year option. The University of Alabama product led the Commanders with a career-high 11 1/2 sacks in 2022. Washington drafted Payne 13th in the 2018 draft and he has since made 296 tackles and recorded 26 sacks in 81 NFL games.