
The window opens Tuesday [Feb. 21] for NFL teams to apply the franchise or transition tags to players set to become unrestricted free agents next month.
The Washington Commanders have a prime candidate for the franchise tag in defensive tackle Daron Payne. Payne, 25, enjoyed a breakout year in his fifth NFL season in 2022, recording 11.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss. The 11.5 sacks tied the legendary Dave Butz for the team record for an interior defensive lineman, and his 18 TFLs were fifth in the league.