One veteran Commanders player could be playing his last games in Washington – and the odds are against him this offseason

The Washington Commanders' season is coming to an end, and the clock is ticking for the start of the most important offseason for general manager Adam Peters.

The Commanders still have three games left, however, and there's plenty to watch for with the roster being evaluated. There are a ton of younger players who need to prove they belong, and a handful of veterans who are fighting for their futures.

Defensive tackle Daron Payne is at the top of the list of players to watch, and his salary cap for 2026 puts him as a long shot to return next season.

Daron Payne could be playing in his last games in Washington

Payne was drafted by Washington back in 2018, and he's been here ever since as one of the longest tenured players. That streak could be coming to an end, however, with the defense in need of an overhaul and a roster that requires significant improvement. We already saw Peters move on from Jonathan Allen last offseason, and Payne could be next on the chopping block.

The Commanders can save a lot of salary cap space by moving on from Daron Payne

The Commanders are projected to have a top-5 salary cap when the offseason hits, and it can take a much bigger boost if they trade or release Daron Payne. They should be able to get a fourth-round pick or so for Payne, but it also wouldn't surprise me if he were released just for the savings alone. The veteran defensive tackle is the top salary cap hit on the team for the 2026 season at a whopping $28 million.