The Washington Commanders were the NFL’s biggest surprise of the season. After years of losing and dysfunction, Washington finally turned things around last season, posting a 12-5 record and reaching the NFC Championship. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels was the catalyst, quickly becoming the NFL’s next star quarterback. As a result, his jersey was a top seller.
Daniels should be a fan favorite for years to come, unless you root for the Eagles, Cowboys, Giants, or Bears. Why Chicago? Bears’ fans developed a strange obsession with Daniels after he outplayed No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams last season. Oh, and let’s not forget, Daniels’ Hail Mary to shock the Bears as time expired was so incredible that it won an award at NFL Honors.
While Daniels is an obvious fan favorite, as is star wide receiver Terry McLaurin, what other Commanders’ player should fans root for in 2025?
Well, everyone loves a good comeback story. Right? Defensive tackle Daron Payne isn’t coming back from injury, but is coming off two subpar seasons after a breakout season in 2022. This offseason, defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. and head coach Dan Quinn singled out Payne for having a “remarkable” offseason.
Tom Blair of NFL.com named one player from every team to root for in 2025 and made a compelling case for Payne as his choice.
Many of us are already rooting for Jayden Daniels, because, duh, and for Terry McLaurin, because he’s A) very good and B) paid his dues in the extreme as a mainstay of the franchise’s pre-Daniels days. How about giving some love to the other roster stalwart who has Really Gone Through It in Washington? Jonathan Allen’s departure this offseason leaves Payne (drafted 13th overall in 2018) as one of the longest-tenured Commanders, someone who’s started 84 straight regular-season games for the team — just 38 of which ended in victory, including 12 last season. The 28-year-old is as deserving as anyone of reveling in Washington’s transformation into a legit contender. All the better if Payne, whose pressure rate and sack totals dipped after an 11.5-sack 2022 season, can translate the positive buzz he’s been generating to a renewed dominance on the field.
Allen probably would have been the choice if the team hadn’t parted ways with him over the offseason. However, Blair makes a strong case for Payne. The eighth-year standout is dependable, having started every game in six of his seven NFL seasons to date. That’s difficult as an interior defensive lineman. He also proved in 2022 that he could be a dominant force.
The Commanders struggled to stop the run last season. Payne is capable of making a significant impact as a run defender and pass rusher. If he can do that, Washington fans will be chanting his name at Northwest Stadium as they hope for another deep playoff run.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Longtime Commanders’ defender named the player to root for in 2025