NFL free agency: Washington Commanders sign Daron Payne to four-year, $90 million deal

The Washington Commanders just set the mark for the top defensive tackles in the league, signing star DT Daron Payne to a four-year, $90 million deal, according to Ian Rapoport.

Prior to working out the long-term deal, the Commanders had placed the franchise tag on Payne.

The new contract, which will keep the 6-foot-3, 320-pound tackle in D.C. through 2026, includes $60 million in guaranteed money.

Washington drafted Payne with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Alabama, where he won CFP national championship MVP and picked up first-team All-SEC honors as a junior.

CLICK HERE to WIN March Madness Prizes in On3’s Bracket Challenge

The Commanders did not pick up Payne’s fifth-year option when they had the chance. Instead, they used a big payday as motivation for him in 2022. It ended up paying off. He set new career highs with 64 tackles and 11.5 sacks to earn a Pro Bowl nod.

More on the 2023 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2023 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 15. At that time, contracts running through 2022 officially run out, making those players free agents. Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 7. Beginning March 13 through March 15 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who are will become unrestricted free agents.

In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office. April 21 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 26, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits.