Commanders’ Terry McLaurin Has Two Contract Options After $60 Million Update

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin has now had five straight years of posting over 1,000 yards. His 2024 season was the best yet, finishing with 1,096 yards and 13 touchdowns on 86 receptions. That was good for 13.4 yards per catch, showing that McLaurin might be one of the top 10 to 15 wide receivers in the NFL last year. 

With his production comes a big payday, and McLaurin seems to understand that. 

Unfortunately, the 29-year-old is not getting what he wants and now requests a trade from the Commanders after failing to secure the new contract he seeks. According to ESPN’s John Keim, however, all the Commanders would have to do is give him a $60 million deal, similar to what DK Metcalf got with the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

“McLaurin and the Commanders remain at a stalemate with negotiations for a contract extension. He has one year remaining on a three-year extension he signed in 2022. He missed the first four days of camp before reporting on July 27 and was placed on the physically unable to perform list with an ankle injury. McLaurin did tweak his ankle late in the season, but he fully participated in offseason workouts until voluntary OTA practices began.

“Both sides have remained firm in their stances. For Washington, the fact that McLaurin will turn 31 when an extension begins has been a key factor. But he was drafted in the same 2019 class as DK Metcalf and has been equally productive. After getting traded to the Steelers this offseason, Metcalf signed a contract worth $33 million per year with $60 million guaranteed. That deal has served as a guide for McLaurin’s demands,” he wrote.

Commanders Won’t Give Terry McLaurin a DK Metcalf Deal

There are a few factors in McLaurin not getting the type of money he’s looking for with the Washington Commanders, but according to ESPN, age is the most important one. 

At 29 years old, McLaurin isn’t young anymore as a wide receiver, but there’s a long history of above-average wide receivers having decent years past their age 30 season. 

McLaurin says age plays a role in the Washington Commanders’ plans, but thinks it gets too much focus. He stated that it isn’t like he’s going to need a walker or a cane anytime soon. 

“I’m not dismissing [age] completely,” McLaurin said last month. “There are data points to support that but how come it’s not OK to say this may be a different case, and based on what he’s proven, showing no signs of deterioration, I feel that should be acknowledged as well.

“People [are] making it seem like I need to start getting fitted for a walker and a cane.”

Washington Holds the Leverage in Terry McLaurin Standoff

The Washington Commanders hold the keys in the situation, but for a team that was a lot better than many expected to be last season under Jayden Daniels, the smarter idea is to give McClure the money he’s looking for. 

As a whole, the Commanders aren’t exactly young, and their opportunity to win might be right now. However, according to ESPN, there aren’t many options for McLaurin. He either has to play out this season, hope he has a great year to get the money he’s looking for next year, or take a cheaper deal.

“McLaurin’s options then become (A) avoid risk and take a deal that could have between $50 million to $60 million in guaranteed money and average around $28 million per year or (B) bet on himself for a possible bigger payday after the season.”

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