Three years ago, the Washington Commanders did what they should have. Midway through another lost season and in the final year of Ron Rivera's tenure as head coach, the Commanders shipped off valuable defensive pieces at the NFL trade deadline.
In 2024, the Commanders used the No. 2 overall pick and draft picks from the trades that sent edge rushers Chase Young and Montez Sweat elsewhere to select quarterback Jayden Daniels and other young pieces. Washington went 12-5 in 2024 and reached the NFC Championship Game.
Last season, the Commanders were 5-12 and have begun this season 1-3-1. If Washington doesn’t turn things around quickly, especially after the embarrassing end-of-game gaffe that cost the Commanders a win on Sunday against the Giants,
could they be in sell mode again?
Sweat and Young were on expiring contracts in 2023, and Washington received second- and third-round picks in return, respectively.
This season, the Commanders have another former first-round defensive lineman on an expiring contract: defensive tackle Daron Payne. Payne, Washington’s first-round pick in 2018, has spent all nine seasons with the Commanders. The 29-year-old has only missed three career games.
ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler said that if Washington decides to trade Payne, he'll have a market.
The upcoming schedule features the 49ers, Eagles, Rams, Giants and Bengals. Those are hardly layups. Inspired play from Washington would go a long way in determining whether Quinn galvanized the locker room after Sunday's low point. It also could determine how Washington approaches the Nov. 10 trade deadline. Three years ago, deadline deals to trade away pass rushers Chase Young and Montez Sweat signified the end of Ron Rivera's tenure in Washington. This time, Washington has another veteran defensive lineman, Daron Payne, who would have trade value if Washington entertains offers.
Regardless of what happens in the next few weeks, if the Commanders can get similar compensation for Payne, they should trade him. If Washington GM Adam Peters had planned to sign Payne to a third contract, he’d likely have begun negotiations already. So why hang onto him and wait for a compensatory pick?
Next year’s draft class is expected to be deep. It's also in Washington, D.C. The Commanders have multiple reasons to consider selling at this year's NFL trade deadline.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Will Commanders move Daron Payne at the 2026 NFL trade deadline?
