The longer things get drawn out in the messy contract negotiations between the Washington Commanders and NFL All-Pro wide receiver Terry McLaurin, the more the price just seems to go up for Josh Harris, Magic Johnson & Co.
The latest prediction on a final price tag comes from Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport, who predicts McLaurin will land a 4-year, $124 million contract with $88.5 million in guaranteed money.
That would put McLaurin at $31 million per year in average annual salary, making him the NFL’s sixth highest paid wide receiver.
“Right now, Philadelphia’s A.J. Brown is fifth among wide receivers in average annual salary at $32 million a season,” Davenport wrote. “Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Detroit Lions is sixth at just over $30 million a year. Split the difference and do the deal.”
McLaurin had his fifth consecutive season with over 1,000 receiving yards in 2024 and set the franchise single-season record with 13 touchdown receptions.
McLaurin’s Frustration Boils Over With Talks
McLaurin finally came out and expressed his frustration with the ongoing stalemate between himself and his team.
He’s headed into the final season of the 3-year, $68.36 million contract extension he signed with the Commanders in June 2022. McLaurin is due to make $19.65 million in 2025.
“When you have that type of production, when you know how people value you and see you have told you to your face and then you see how it’s progressing until this point, that’s very disappointing,” McLaurin told ESPN’s John Keim on July 15. “I’m just trying to get some clarity. Shoot it to me straight … I guess you can say there is a point of no return. I don’t think it’s at that now but … time is kind of ticking.”
McLaurin was a third round pick (No. 76 overall) out of Ohio State in the 2019 NFL draft, is a 2-time Pro Bowler and earned NFL All-Pro honors for the first time in 2024 paired with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Commanders Aren’t Contenders Without McLaurin
For the first time in a generation, the Commanders enter a season as legitimate Super Bowl contenders after going 12-5 in 2024 and making it to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1991.
Out of all the players on the roster, only Daniels is more important to the outcome of the season than McLaurin, which makes the back-and-forth between the star wide receiver and management so much more confusing.
Commanders fans took to social media to express their frustration.
“At a press conference, Josh Harris said the name ‘#Commanders’ now represents a culture of toughness, commitment, and team unity,” X user Tailgate Ted wrote on his official account. “Well, toughness, commitment, and unity perfectly describe Terry McLaurin. It’s time to back up those words, Mr. Harris and pay Terry.”
“I just don’t understand a reality where you don’t pay Terry McLaurin,” X user brandon wrote on his official account. Terry has been nothing but loyal and finally has a QB in his seven years. I hope this gets resolved quickly before it escalates into something worse like a possible trade request.
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