The Washington Commanders finished last in the NFC East in a 2022 season in which they appeared a long way from true contention, but they have made a move to lock down one player key to their hopes of competing by placing the franchise tag on defensive tackle Daron Payne.

Former first-round pick Payne likely would have been one of the hottest free agents on the market but instead looks likely to remain in Washington for at least 2023 after ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the Commanders had placed the tag on the former Alabama star.

Per Schefter, Payne will earn $18.937million on the tag if he and the Commanders cannot come to an agreement on a long-term deal.

That would give him the fourth-highest annual salary among defensive tackles, according to Spotrac, which projects his market value as $19.49million a year.

A five-year contract at that average salary would come to $97.46million, a significant price for a player whose best year of production came in his contract year in 2022.

Indeed, Payne racked up 11.5 sacks last season, earning a Pro Bowl nod, but that was the first campaign with double-digit sacks. Prior to 2022, Payne’s career-high tally was five in his rookie season in 2018. According to Pro Football Focus, his 49 pressures also represented a career-high.

So by tagging him and giving themselves time to negotiate a long-term deal, the Commanders are betting that Payne can continue to produce at that level and blossom into an undoubted member of the NFL’s elite on the interior defensive line.

Payne’s numbers in terms of quarterback hits suggest it is a smart bet to make. His 35 hits over the last two seasons are the eighth-most among defensive tackles and, still only 26, there is plenty of reason to believe he can continue to develop and vindicate Washington’s clear faith in his abilities.

Washington’s defensive line is the strength of a unit that ranked ninth in the NFL by Football Outsiders DVOA last season.

The Commanders, who facilitated this move by releasing quarterback Carson Wentz on Monday, have many more issues to address as they seek to compete for the playoffs in 2023, most notably at Wentz’s position, where they have no compelling answers.

But by ensuring Payne will, barring a trade, remain on the team, the Commanders have improved the odds of their defense remaining a strength next season.

It remains to be seen whether Payne can deliver the consistency to justify the financial investment, but the Commanders are certainly wise to make sure he will have the chance to do so on their roster.