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Can the Washington Commanders reach terms on a new deal with “frustrated” wide receiver Terry McLaurin? And if they can, what would that deal look like?
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported Thursday that McLaurin is “frustrated with the lack of progress on a long-term deal.” The six-year NFL veteran went so far as to stop attending the team’s workouts at OTAs earlier this week after he was initially present.
McLaurin is entering the final year of the three-year, $68.4 million contract he signed in 2022 and coming off of his fifth straight 1,000-yard season with the team.
Schultz reported that “talks have been minimal” between McLaurin and the Commanders, and the receiver is making his feelings clear by refusing to show up to voluntary workouts. McLaurin is at risk of fines if he also fails to show up for Washington’s mandatory, three-day veteran minicamp, which begins next Wednesday.
Terry McLaurin contract projectionLength: 3 yearsValue: $93 million ($31 million AAV)
McLaurin will turn 30 years old right around the start of the 2025 season and is coming off of a fifth 1,000-yard season in a row, enough to earn a second career Pro Bowl nod as well as his first second-team All-Pro honors.
Throughout the ups and downs that Washington has dealt with at the quarterback position, McLaurin has been a consistent producer at his position. His 1,000-yard season streak is especially impressive with the added context that his team ran out 11 different starting quarterbacks in the six seasons he’s been in Washington. (They are: Dwayne Haskins, Case Keenum, Colt McCoy, Alex Smith, Kyle Allen, Taylor Heinicke, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Garrett Gilbert, Carson Wentz, Sam Howell and Jayden Daniels.)
McLaurin’s consistency amid all of the chaos around him is something the team is likely to reward him for eventually. His current deal pays him an average of $22.8 million per year, which ranks 16th among all NFL receivers, behind guys like the Indianapolis Colts’ Michael Pittman and Tennessee Titans’ Calvin Ridley.
A short-term deal that pays the Commanders receiver just around $30 million per year to move him into the top-10 highest-paid receivers would be a nice deal for both sides. It’s job security and a pay raise for McLaurin, and a chance for the team to lock in Daniels’ top receiver for three more years before the quarterback is due to receive a big payday. And since newcomer wideout Deebo Samuel is also set to hit free agency after 2025, a solid-value deal for McLaurin wouldn’t hamstring the team from making a big move next offseason, if they so choose.
Terry McLaurin stats
Through six years in the NFL, McLaurin has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in each of his last five seasons. Here’s how his career and 2024 stats look:
Career: 460 receptions, 6,379 receiving yards, 13.9 yards per reception, 38 touchdowns2024: 82 receptions, 1,096 receiving yards, 13.4 yards per reception, 13 touchdowns (career high)