An otherwise successful Washington Commanders offseason took a sour turn when Terry McLaurin suddenly paused his activities with the team. The Commanders No. 1 receiver grew frustrated with the lack of progress on his extension talks before holding out from mandatory minicamp two weeks ago.
McLaurin has one year left on a three-year extension signed back in 2022 worth over $68 million. His last deal got him the salary becoming of an impact pass catcher in the NFL; now he wants to cash in big on a contract similar to that of the top players at his position.
For much of this time many have theorized that could mean a deal at or over $30 million annually. But the latest from Commanders insider Lake Lewis has that number juiced up to a total of $36 or $37 as he mentioned on VTRN Sports Lynchburg Podcast.
That number would be a hard one to come to for a player who has already turned 30. McLaurin would be earning more than DK Metcalf and CeeDee Lamb who are next up in average annual salary.
The only one larger would be that for Ja'Marr Chase who currently sits at $40 million, the most for any non quarterback in league history.
McLaurin has earned his pay day in fairness. His last five seasons have all ended with 1,000 or more yards, most recently a 1,096-yard and 13 touchdown campaign.
The Commanders like McLaurin and he remains central to their plans of contention through the coming years with Jayden Daniels. But the age is the major road block here. The higher the price he demands, the more that number sticks out.
There's some understandable pause here in giving a 30-year-old receiver a massive extension. No man has proven invincible against his age in this sport.
At the same time, McLaurin has shown no signs of slowing down and has yet to suffer any significant injury.
Regardless of his accolades, a $36 to $37 million figure may prove too great a number for the Commanders to settle on. However, that low $30 million range is still within reason and should be area of pursuit from McLaurin's side.
Whichever way these dealings work out the Commanders have until July 18 to strike a deal and ensure McLaurin's participation in all of training camp.
