Terry McLaurin Hits Contract Wall as Commanders Talks Go Nowhere

Terry McLaurin remains in contract purgatory even after the conclusion of the mandatory camp and no one knows when he will sign an extension.

Terry McLaurin Hits Contract Wall as Commanders Talks Go Nowhere

Terry McLaurin (Image via IMAGO)

Judging by the pace the Washington Commanders are moving, wide receiver Terry McLaurin could end up becoming a training camp holdout. If the Commanders don’t want other NFL teams snooping around, then they better pick up their pace and give Scary Terry a new contract extension sooner.

Both parties are working toward an extension, but there’s barely any news regarding how much the Commanders are willing to pay McLaurin. Even though he’s not a 1,500-yard receiver like Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, and CeeDee Lamb, McLaurin frequently racks up 1,000 yards, and last season he scored 13 touchdowns.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter on the Pat McAfee Show revealed that he hasn’t heard much from the Commanders’ camp but included the 29-year-old in the same category as TJ Watt—two players who are essential to their team’s success.

This is a tough one. There’s no update, which is the update, and that’s the problem. The problem is with this particular situation. I think Terry McLaurin is arguing that other wide receivers with his numbers are comparable to like [Ja’Marr] Chase, Tee Higgins, and DK Metcalf, who get paid over $30 million a year.

Adam Schefter said

However, McLaurin is older than the bunch Schefter mentioned, so he falls in the same bracket as another receiver. The Buccaneers agreed to a $26 million a year deal with 31-year-old All-Pro receiver Mike Evans last year.

There really is quite a bit of difference and gap between what both sides would want. They have not made any progress.

Schefter added

If they fail to reach common ground, then the only option would be to trade McLaurin to another team, which Schefter doesn’t see taking place.

[But as of] today, McLaurin and the Commanders are not close.

McAfee threw in his former team, the Indianapolis Colts‘ name, in the mix as a potential destination for Watt and McLaurin, but Shane Steichen has to give away an arm and a leg to make the trades happen.

Analyst hints when the Commanders may finalize Terry McLaurin’s contract

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, in his latest mailbag, answered several fan inquiries, and one of them was about McLaurin’s contract. Breer refrained from giving a definite answer but hinted that the talks will resume soon.

Terry McLaurin Hits Contract Wall as Commanders Talks Go Nowhere
Terry McLaurin (Image via IMAGO)

Brandon [the fans who asked the question], they have a lot of work to do. I’d expect that work will pick up again when the league comes back from break in a few weeks. But it’s still not in a great place. So we’ll see what happens—there’s plenty of time to get something done.

Breer wrote

Previously, Breer had forecast that McLaurin’s contract might come in around $30 million, which would likely be finalized before training camp in late July.

Recently, Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson backed McLaurin to get a generous amount from his impending deal.

The guy has been nothing but consistent for [the Commanders] organization. He has been a staple there—for Washington his whole career, and he plays well; he steps up in big games… Come on, Magic [Johnson], pay the man.

Calvin Johnson said on Up & Adams

McLaurin has played 97 games in six seasons, catching 460 passes for 6379 yards and 36 touchdowns.

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