Daron Payne Delivers Statement After Harsh ‘Overpaid’ Label
Daron Payne entered his eighth season with two competing narratives.
On one side, Bleacher Report placed him on its “All-Overpaid Team” before Week 1. The outlet pointed to a four-year, $90 million deal with $59 million guaranteed, his failure to surpass five sacks in six of his seven seasons, and last year’s poor Pro Football Focus grades. “He wasn’t the same before [2022] and hasn’t been the same since,” B/R wrote, questioning whether the Washington Commanders were getting their money’s worth.
Inside Washington’s building, the tone was far different.
Payne Steps Into Leadership
Two years ago, Washington moved on from Chase Young. Montez Sweat soon went to the Chicago Bears, and this past offseason Jonathan Allen signed with the Minnesota Vikings. Payne suddenly became the defensive line’s veteran anchor and one of the longest tenured members of the Burgundy and Gold. Coaches pushed him to lead, and according to Commanders.com, he answered.
Head coach Dan Quinn told Payne during camp that he’d had “a remarkable offseason,” highlighting his conditioning and focus. Defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. praised his effort, saying Payne “looks intentful” and sets the tone by practicing at full speed.
Payne may not be the loudest voice in the room, but his example has carried weight. Younger players see how he approaches meetings, walkthroughs, and reps, and that influence matters on a defense looking to reset its identity.
Week 1 Response
In Washington’s 21–6 win over the New York Giants, Payne delivered one of his best outings. He recorded four tackles, 1.5 sacks, two pass breakups, and two assisted tackles. From collapsing the pocket on Russell Wilson to batting down passes at the line, Payne wrecked New York’s game plan.
The Giants managed only 231 total yards, and Payne was a big reason why. His constant pressure forced Wilson into rushed throws, and his disruption inside helped Washington control the line of scrimmage.
“I’m having fun, man, I think it shows by the way I’m playing,” Payne told Alex Flum of DC News Now after the win.
The performance felt like 2022 all over again. That season, Payne tied the franchise record for sacks by a defensive tackle with 11.5, earned a Pro Bowl nod, and cashed in with his extension.
Shifting the Narrative
Payne’s production declined in 2023 and 2024, which contributed to the “overpaid” label. But Week 1 showed he still has the ability to take over games. His strong offseason and dominant opener suggest he’s ready to reestablish himself as one of the league’s top interior defenders.
That’s exactly what Dan Quinn’s defense needs. Washington wants to build its identity on toughness and physicality. Recent additions, such as Javon Kinlaw, Von Miller, and Eddie Goldman, reinforce that vision. Payne’s ability to draw double teams and still produce creates ripple effects for everyone around him.
Bleacher Report questioned whether Payne was worth his contract. His Week 1 performance sent the perfect rebuttal. Washington asked him to lead, and he delivered both in the offseason and on the field.
For at least one week, Daron Payne looked like a man worth every penny.
'Bachelor in Paradise' Alums Joe Amabile and Serena Pitt Celebrate 2nd Wedding Anniversary
Bachelor in Paradise stars Joe Amabile and Serena Pitt are as in love as ever as they celebrate their second wedding anniversary.
The 27-year-old publicist and the 39-year-old podcast host met and fell in love on season 7 of Bachelor in Paradise in 2021. They ended the show engaged and exchanged vows in a courthouse wedding in October 2022.
Nearly a year later, they got married again on Sept. 2, 2023, and marked the occasion with a larger ceremony and reception in Charleston, S.C.
On Tuesday, Sept. 2, the Bachelor Nation couple hopped on Instagram to celebrate the second anniversary of their Charleston wedding.
"Happy second anniversary girl 💍 we’ve come along [sic] way since that first photo at your parent’s [sic] house. Well at least me and your parents have," Amabile joked in his post, which featured a throwback photo and a more recent one.
In both pictures, Amabile kisses Pitt on the cheek while she beams at the camera.
"Happy 2 year wedding anniversary 🤍 let’s have another one to celebrate our third!" Pitt captioned her post, which featured a photo of them sharing a hug. In it she's wearing a light satin dress, while he opted for a plaid shirt and jeans.
After their first wedding, they explained to PEOPLE that "having a private moment just the two of us felt so special and intimate" after they fell in love on camera.
"We can't wait to celebrate with all of our family and friends next year at our wedding," they said at the time, "Because who doesn't want to marry the love of their life twice?"
Despite the sentiment, they admitted to PEOPLE in December 2024 that two weddings was "a little much."
“We don’t know which one to celebrate,” Pitt says, with Amabile joking, “That's what comes with going on reality TV and meeting."
That year, they told PEOPLE that their life since exchanging vows was "great."
"We were already living together and we don't have a kid," Pitt explained. "It's fun!"
Her advice: “I can't speak to 20 years of marriage, but we're a year in, and I just think having fun,” she said. “It doesn't have to be that serious. Have fun together. Enjoy life, enjoy your relationship.
However, they admitted that they were facing a "hard decision" as they discussed moving on from New York City to explore a new area.
“We love New York and it's been an amazing two and a half, almost three years there,” Pitt shared. “We just don't know if it's going to be our forever place as we take steps into our next chapter of marriage and life. So we think that maybe it's time to make a hard decision.”
Amabile jokingly said that he wished his wife was from Florida since he grew up in Chicago. However, she has roots in Toronto.
“If we're going back and forth and it's like we travel from cold to cold,” he said.
Before their love story began on Bachelor in Paradise, Amabile competed for Becca Kufrin's heart on the 14th season of The Bachelorette in 2018. That same year, he appeared on the fifth season of Bachelor in Paradise.
