Brad Spielberger, Pro Football Focus’ salary cap expert, joined Grant and Danny on Monday to talk about all the latest in the NFL, including Daron Payne’s new four-year, $80 million deal.
Payne broke out as a Pro Bowler in 2022, logging 11.5 sacks in 17 games, after combining for just 14.5 sacks in his previous four seasons. With that in mind, Grant and Danny posed the question: was Payne’s breakout year motivated by a potential payday, and the former 13th overall pick will regress this season?
“It’s always, ‘was it because the players was not motivated or not putting in the work and then they had a breakout when they were trying to get the bag, or was it because they were not utilized properly and put in a position to succeed?’ Spielberger said. “I think it’s more the latter here for Daron Payne. He came here as a traditional nose tackle, and they moved him around a little more. You saw the sack production, particularly this year, because they lined him up between the guard and the tackle…different ways to utilize his talent, ability, and athleticism, and let him tee off against the quarterback, in a way they didn’t let him do earlier in his career.”
With that in mind, Spielberger expects Payne to continue to be a force up front defensively for the Commanders in 2023 and beyond.
“I don’t think it’s a signal that he only tried in a certain year,” Spielberger said. “I think it’s how he was utilized, and he took advantage.”
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