As a substitute of letting contract negotiations with Terry McLaurin drag on, the Washington Commanders ought to pay the star large receiver.
McLaurin — who’s getting into the ultimate yr of his contract — left voluntary workouts last week amid reported frustrations about contract talks with the group. On a Sunday episode of “SportsCenter,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported it is unclear whether or not he’ll report back to minicamp, which begins on Tuesday.
“Actually, Washington desires to maintain him within the fold long run,” Fowler mentioned (h/t Bleacher Report’s Andrew Peters). “They’ve had some talks, however not sufficient but to progress to get any type of deal.”
Washington ought to expedite these talks with the WR, who has made two Professional Bowls in six seasons with the membership. It probably cannot win a Tremendous Bowl with out him.
Throughout the 2024 season, McLaurin completed fifteenth within the league in receiving yards (1,096) and second in landing catches (13) in 17 regular-season video games. No different Commander was as productive. Washington TE Zach Ertz was second on the group in receiving yards, with 654 in 17 regular-season video games.
In March, the Commanders acquired WR Deebo Samuel in a commerce with the San Francisco 49ers. Nevertheless, his numbers have declined since incomes a first-team All-Professional nod in 2021. Throughout this span, he hasn’t surpassed 892 receiving yards in a season.
McLaurin, in the meantime, has been far more constant. Over the previous three seasons, the 29-year-old wideout has completed with 1,000 receiving yards or extra annually.
The Commanders might be involved about cap area. Spotrac estimates they’ve $21.41M in cap room, and McLaurin’s market worth is a three-year deal worth $31.1M annually.
Nonetheless, the chemistry between second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels and McLaurin is one key cause Washington made its first NFC Championship sport because the 1991 season final season.
Washington would not need something to disrupt that, so it ought to make room for an extension for McLaurin.
