The Washington Redskins wrapped up their offseason program on June 12. The NFL team will hold its first practice of training camp on July 25.

But Washington nose tackle Daron Payne said he was “not really” looking forward to the time off.

“Really about to get back into it,” Payne said about his plans during an appearance on “Redskins Nation” at the end of the offseason program. “Try to train a little bit harder and get ready for camp.”

Payne apparently can’t afford to fall behind Matt Ioannidis and former Alabama teammate Jonathan Allen, the Redskins’ defensive ends.

“Me and Jon and Matt got a little competition right now on sacks and tackles,” said Payne, adding he couldn’t talk about what was at stake in the competition during the 2019 season.

Washington defensive-line coach Jim Tomsula said Payne's want-to-work attitude has been something he'd had all year in his first full offseason with the Redskins.

“January, February and March, it’s well-noted, nobody has to be here, nobody has to do anything,” Tomsula said. “Those six (defensive linemen) were in here every day all offseason. The way they’ve worked at it and how hard they’ve worked at it, you can’t help but be excited for them.”

Payne said he appreciated having Tomsula as his position coach.

“He coaches us hard, and he loves us hard, too.” Payne said. “It’s not a day go by that he’s just not excited, that he’s not going to bring it to the table, so I know every day he’s going to make us compete. We’re going to compete against each other, we want the best out of each other, but he’s always right there encouraging us.”

Payne joined the Redskins as the 13th player picked in the 2018 NFL Draft, and the former Shades Valley High School standout became an immediate starter.

“I think this year coming into it, I just feel like I feel more comfortable and things’re just coming easier,” Payne said of the offseason this time around.

He said he spent the 2019 offseason program trying to “clean up the playbook” and putting “my all into the weight room.”

Payne registered 56 tackles to lead all rookie defensive linemen and place in the top 10 of all defensive interior linemen in the NFL last season. Payne earned a spot on the NFL All-Rookie team in 2018, and after recording five sacks last season, he said he’s hoping to “to get a couple more” in 2019.

Payne said Washington could have one of the top defenses in the NFL this season. The Redskins appeared headed that way in 2018 but struggled as the team's offense sunk into ineptitude after quarterback Alex Smith suffered a broken leg.

In the first seven games of 2018, Washington gave up more than 350 yards once and had a 5-2 record. In the final nine games of 2018, the Redskins gave up more than 350 yards six times and went 2-7.

“As long as we keep on pushing each other, competing every day and just stay healthy, I think we’ve got a good chance,” Payne said.

Washington coach Jay Gruden is counting on the linemen to lead the Redskins' resurgence on defense.

“It’s an unbelievable group on and off the field,” Gruden said of the defensive line. “You can’t ask for a better group of men.”

The Redskins report for training camp at the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center in Richmond, Virginia, in about one month and kick off their four-game preseason schedule on Aug. 8 against the Cleveland Browns. Washington's regular season begins on Sept. 8 with an NFC East game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Payne can hardly wait. He’s looking forward to “finally getting back in pads and just getting closer and closer to game day.”

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