Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn has taken a diplomatic stance regarding wide receiver Terry McLaurin’s absence from minicamp due to his contract situation. Quinn acknowledged the complexity of football intersecting with business and expressed understanding when McLaurin skipped the team’s mandatory minicamp, resulting in a fine exceeding $104,000. McLaurin also missed most voluntary workouts, further highlighting tensions around his contract.
McLaurin had a career-best season in 2024, recording 82 receptions, 1,096 receiving yards, and 13 touchdowns. He also excelled in the playoffs with three touchdowns across three games, earning him second-team All-Pro honors and his second Pro Bowl selection. This breakout season came with Jayden Daniels, Washington’s first stable quarterback in years, after a rotation of 10 different QBs over McLaurin’s six seasons.
McLaurin is in the final year of a three-year, $69.6 million contract extension signed in 2022. Including incentives, the deal could be worth up to $70.6 million. He is set to earn $19.65 million in 2025 against a $25.5 million cap hit. At 29 years old, McLaurin likely views this next contract as his last major payday, complicating negotiations.
Age, Market Trends, And Team Dependence Complicate McLaurin’s Contract Extension With Commanders
Age is a significant factor for Washington, as McLaurin will turn 30 this season. Comparisons to Tyreek Hill, who secured a lucrative extension just before turning 30, and Mike Evans, who took a less valuable deal at 31, underscore the challenge of valuing older wide receivers. Washington must weigh long-term value against potential decline due to age.
Dan Quinn (NFL)McLaurin led Washington in targets in 2024 and remains the team’s primary receiving threat. The newly acquired Deebo Samuel has struggled with consistency and is also in a contract year. There’s no clear replacement on the roster, making McLaurin’s presence vital to the team’s offensive success.
The wide receiver pay scale has surged, especially with deals for Ja’Marr Chase ($40.25M/year), Justin Jefferson ($35M/year), and CeeDee Lamb ($34M/year). Chase’s contract created a significant gap in the market, and if McLaurin expects to close part of that gap, the Commanders may balk at the price tag, especially given his age.
McLaurin’s Market Value Rises As Contract Comparisons Tag Risks Pressure Commanders’ Decision-Making
Contracts signed by DK Metcalf ($33M/year), A.J. Brown ($32M/year), and Amon-Ra St. Brown ($30M/year) provide more realistic benchmarks. Metcalf is a peer from the 2019 draft and has a slightly backloaded deal with significant guarantees. Despite McLaurin’s recent productivity, he is older than most of these players at the time of their extensions.
If Washington were to franchise tag McLaurin in 2026, the cost would exceed $30 million due to his escalating cap number and Pro Bowl incentives. This potential future cost may be factored into McLaurin’s negotiating position now, possibly pressuring the Commanders to reach an agreement sooner.
With a 34.1% rise in the NFL salary cap since McLaurin’s last deal, his adjusted market value could approach $31.1 million per year. The Commanders, like the Texans, are in a prime position with a low-cost quarterback and a surprise playoff run. However, Washington may be hesitant to offer a long-term deal, while McLaurin likely wants extended security.
As training camp approaches on July 22, the pressure to resolve the dispute intensifies. If no deal is reached, McLaurin might hold out—at a cost of $50,000 per day—or report but not practice. Either scenario could disrupt the Commanders’ momentum and threaten their ability to build on last season’s NFC Championship appearance.
