The Green Bay Packers are off to a sloppy 1-1 start to the 2026 NFL season. To ultimately fix their issues, the Packers need the players on their roster to perform better while making fewer mistakes. Better injury luck, including getting back All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons, would help too.
But that didn’t stop Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox from proposing a Packers trade idea that could shake up the NFC North.
On his 2026 NFL trade block big board entering Week 3, Knox pitched Green Bay acquiring defensive tackle Daron Payne from the Washington Commanders. Knox placed Payne’s trade value at a 2027 third-round pick.
“If the Commanders decide that it’s not too soon to look ahead to 2027 and beyond, they should strongly consider moving defensive tackle Daron Payne. The 29-year-old is set to be a free agent in the spring, and while he’s arguably Washington’s most important impending free agent, there’s no guarantee he’ll want to return if the Commanders have another wasted campaign,” wrote Knox.
“Payne would likely bring a Day 2 pick in return. He recorded 46 tackles and three sacks last season and has started both games in 2026.”
Payne will be unrestricted free agent next offseason because his 4-year, $90 million contract will expire in the spring. In addition to 46 combined tackles and three sacks, Payne had seven tackles for loss, eight quarterback hits and five pass defenses in 15 games last season.
The defensive tackle made the Pro Bowl in 2022 with a career-best 11.5 sacks.
Packers Trade Pitch Sends $90 Million DT to Green Bay