Is Daron Payne Done with DC?

Former Alabama defensive tackle Daron Payne walked off the Washington Commanders practice field Tuesday during the first day of organized team activities. After leaving the field he went to stand in an area on a side field that is generally occupied by players missing time due to injury before rejoining the team during post-practice meetings and weight room activities.

Payne's departure from the practice field has been linked to the team deciding to not offer him an extension after picking up his fifth year option last month. The Commanders reportedly have no intentions to offering him a contract extension.

Payne has not yet come out and asked for a trade.

Playing the 2022 season as a contract year could prove to be a great thing for Payne. Each year he's been in the league, he has steadily made more and more of an impact on the team. Last season, he recorded 61 tackles and 15 quarterback hits, both marks being career bests. If he could continue that trajectory, a big pay day is likely in his future.

However, it has become more common in recent years for players to engage in lengthy hold outs over contract disputes. Some have even skipped entire seasons. Right now, it doesn't look like that's the direction Payne is heading in, but anything could happen.

Washington has not ruled out the possibility of moving Payne either this summer or in-season before the trade deadline. The Athletic's Ben Standing reported that the Commanders front office has been calling around the league to let other organizations know that he is on the trade block.