Washington coach Ron Rivera said last week the Commanders had been the first NFL team to use its franchise tag this offseason because they wanted to show Daron Payne and his representatives they were serious about getting a new contract worked out with the defensive tackle.

How serious?

NFL Network and ESPN reported on Sunday that Payne and the Commanders had reached agreement on a four-year, $90 million contract extension. Payne’s deal is the second-largest for a defensive tackle in NFL history, behind the three-year contract extension worth $95 million signed by three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald with the Los Angeles Rams in 2022.

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Payne’s new contract will include $60 million in guaranteed money.

Without the franchise tag or a contract extension, Payne would have become an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday. By tagging Payne on Feb. 28, Washington guaranteed the former Shades Valley High School and Alabama standout a salary of $18.9 million for the 2023 season if the Commanders and Payne’s representatives couldn’t work out a new contract by July 17.

It turned out Washington and Payne didn’t need the extra time to get a deal done.

A Pro Bowl pick in his fifth NFL season, Payne reached career highs with 64 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 18 tackles for loss and 20 quarterback hits in 2022. He led NFL defensive interior linemen in tackles for loss and NFC defensive interior linemen in sacks this season.

Payne played 87 percent of the Commanders’ defensive snaps, the highest rate for an interior lineman in the NFL in 2022.

Payne joined Washington as the 13th selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. He has missed one game in five seasons.

In 81 NFL regular-season games, Payne has 291 tackles, 26 sacks, 40 tackles for loss, 55 quarterback hits, 14 pass break-ups, one interception, four forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and one safety.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.