Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin wants a contract extension. It's not a secret; it's been all over the news. He returned to the team during training camp, but did not pass the preseason physical and was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons and Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson also returned to their teams, but neither of them is practicing, holding out for their own extensions.
While talks between all three teams and players continue, each team has an option in its back pocket that it can use if an agreement is not reached. Former NFL agent and current CBS Sports writer Joel Corry writes:
Under the NFL Constitution and Bylaws, a team can send a player a letter informing him that he can be put on the reserve/left squad list if he doesn't return within five days after leaving. Once placed on the reserve/left squad list, a player is prohibited from attending team meetings, practicing and playing for the rest of the season. This letter must be sent in order for a player to be put the reserve/left squad list.
The player's contract also tolls where it is frozen and resumes the next year. For example, Parsons would be playing the 2026 season under his $24.007 million fifth-year option for 2025. A player doesn't receive payment while his contract has tolled.
There are only a few times I can recall a five-day letter being sent over the last 20 years (Kentwan Balmer, Su'a Cravens, Percy Harvin and Richard Seymour). That's because situations where one could be warranted are few and far between.
Now, none of these teams really wants to do that for a variety of reasons, but the Commanders specifically do not want to do that with McLaurin. For one thing, at the age of 30, sitting out an entire year will kill all of the momentum he's built over the last five years. On top of that, McLaurin is an essential part of Jayden Daniels' development.
Still, if push comes to shove and the Commanders decide they definitely don't want to trade McLaurin, this is an option.
However, the organization should be aware that no one likes this option. Fans will be livid. Just find a way to pay the man and let him do his job.
