Who is the Commanders' player to root for not named Jayden Daniels or Terry McLaurin?
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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
24 minutes ago
- USA Today
Bears QB Caleb Williams' phone wallpaper is the Lombardi Trophy
Caleb Williams wallpaper on his phone. 👀📸: @_ColeBennett_ Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has made it clear he had lofty goals for his NFL career. And despite a rocky rookie season, Williams hasn't been deterred. And he keeps a reminder of his top goal right there on his phone. In a photo shared by Cole Bennett on Instagram, Williams is tagged on a photo of a phone wallpaper that features the Lombardi Trophy, which no doubt is to remind Williams about his ultimate goal: Winning Super Bowls. Back in April 2024, Williams shared a look at his phone screen wallpaper that included motivational quotes and goals. That included being the first pick in the NFL draft (which the Bears made him) and the second was winning not one, but eight Super Bowls (as he wants to surpass the great Tom Brady). Williams' rookie season didn't go as planned in what was a chaotic environment that featured an in-season head coach firing, three different head coaches, being sacked a league-high 68 times, a 10-game losing streak and a 5-12 record. Still, Williams impressed with his impressive arm to the tune of 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns and just six interceptions. This offseason, the Bears have prioritized building around Williams. That started with the hiring of head coach Ben Johnson to develop Williams into the star Chicago believes he can be. The Bears also overhauled the entire interior offensive line and added even more weapons that has Williams poised for a breakout season. While Chicago is far from being a Super Bowl contender, as there are still questions to be answered on both sides of the ball, there's no denying the pieces are in place that, if Williams becomes a star, the Bears could ultimately contend for a championship and achieve Williams' top goal. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
San Francisco Chronicle
38 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Peralta, Chourio and Turang star as Brewers beat the Nationals, extend win streak to 7 games
MILWAUKEE (AP) — All-Star Freddy Peralta pitched one-run ball through 6 2/3 innings, Jackson Chourio and Brice Turang homered and the Milwaukee Brewers extended their winning streak to seven games with an 8-1 victory over the Washington Nationals on Sunday. Peralta (11-4) carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning before Jacob Young, Washington's No. 9 hitter, slapped a hit through the infield between third and short. The 29-year-old right-hander got the first four Nationals to open the game and rebounded after Turang's two-base fielding error on Luis García Jr.'s grounder in the second inning by retiring the next 12 batters. Peralta, who allowed three hits and a walk and struck out seven, left the game following Daylen Lile's run-scoring single with two out in the seventh. The Brewers climbed to a season-best 16 games above .500 at 56-40. Peralta made his 20th start of the season and relinquished his second All-Star selection. Reliever Trevor Megill took Peralta's spot and joins rookie right-hander Jacob Misiorowski on the NL team. Chourio hit a three-run homer and Turang added a solo shot, all in the eighth, for Milwaukee. Washington's Jake Irvin (7-5) allowed four hits in five innings with five strikeouts. Brewers right fielder Sal Frelick left the game in the third after making a sliding catch in foul territory. The team said he had left hamstring soreness. Shortstop C.J. Abrams was scratched from Washington's lineup due to minor right-shoulder soreness. Paul DeJong got the start. After Saturday's game, the Nationals optioned right-hander Shinnosuke Ogasawara (0-1, 13.50 ERA in two starts) to Triple-A Rochester and recalled righty Andry Lara from Double-A Harrisburg on Sunday. Key moment Nationals third baseman Brady House's fielding error opened the door for three unearned runs in the Brewers' third, highlighted by Anthony Seigler's two-run single for his first career RBIs. Up next The Brewers play at the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Nationals host the Padres. Both series start Friday. ___
USA Today
38 minutes ago
- USA Today
Who are the Chiefs' most underrated players heading into the 2025 season?
The Kansas City Chiefs are led by high-profile stars like quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, and defensive lineman Chris Jones, and have won three Super Bowl titles with their current corps of tested veterans. But, after Kansas City's defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, the Chiefs will rely on up-and-coming talents to buoy their success for another season in 2025. As Mahomes, Kelce, and Jones continue to provide Kansas City's coaching staff with consistency, these seven lesser-known contributors could prove to be the Chiefs' most underrated assets next season: FB Carson Steele Though Steele struggled to find his footing in three starts last season, fans should expect the former UCLA Bruin to push for a spot on Kansas City's roster in 2025. WR Nikko Remigio Remigio has been a constant presence on the Chiefs' 53-man roster and practice squad since 2023 and earned his first start in the NFL last season. TE Jared Wiley Wiley's rookie season was derailed by a torn ACL. While it remains unlikely that Wiley will return in time for Kansas City's regular season debut, fans should expect to see him return to the field in time for the playoffs. OL Hunter Nourzad Kansas City's decision to trade veteran offensive lineman Joe Thuney may give Nourzad the chance he needs to push for playing time next season. DL Felix Anudike-Uzomah Anudike-Uzomah wouldn't usually be considered an "underrated" player, given his status as a former first-round pick. However, the former Kansas State Wildcat is still just 23 years old, and he showed signs of development as a pass-rusher last season on Kansas City's loaded defensive line. LB Cole Christiansen Christiansen is one of the Chiefs' most impactful players on special teams and may be a force his way onto Kansas City's 53-man roster with strong performances in training camp and the preseason. DB Jaden Hicks Hicks enters his second season in the NFL with sky-high expectations. Given veteran safety Justin Reid's departure from Kansas City in free agency, Hicks seems primed to compete for a starting spot in the Chiefs' defense next season.
