The Washington Commanders still haven’t paid Terry McLaurin, and a Hall of Fame wide receiver doesn’t understand why. Calvin Johnson, known as “Megatron” during a prolific playing career that included six Pro Bowl berths and a 122-catch season in 2012, sent a message to Commanders ownership, specifically to minority owner Magic Johnson.
Speaking on the Up & Adams Show, Johnson told Kay Adams the Commanders should “pay the man, ’cause the man has been nothing but consistent. I don’ know Terry very well, but from afar, man, the guy has been nothing but consistent for that organization, he’s been a staple there in Washington for his whole career, and he plays well, he steps up in big games, and I love watching the kid ’cause he’s always making plays.”
Johnson concluded with a direct message to the NBA legend who’s a key part of the ownership group fronted by Josh Harris, “Come on Magic, pay the man!”
For McLaurin, this is about as strong an endorsement as he could get while he stays away from team activities waiting to be recompensed for years of stellar service. There aren’t many better authorities on quality wideouts than Johnson, who was mostly impossible to cover during nine years of dominance with the Detroit Lions.
McLaurin isn’t quite in the same bracket as “Megatron,” but that doesn’t mean his importance to the Commanders should be underestimated or undervalued.
Terry McLaurin Still the Main Man Among Commanders WRs
The Commanders dragging their feet over handing McLaurin a new contract is somewhat surprising considering the veteran’s continued production. McLaurin snagged a career-high 13 touchdown catches in 2024, playing a key role in helping first-year quarterback Jayden Daniels be named Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Last season was also the fifth-straight year McLaurin clocked over 1,000 yards receiving. The 29-year-old has been Washington’s go-to receiver since entering the pros as a third-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft.
Numbers from RefTheDistrict show McLaurin’s “accounted for 31.2% of his team’s receiving yards,” and where he compares, both in terms of yards and dollars on the contract, to some of the league’s premier catch machines.
Finding the right terms for a receiver in this select company will be a delicate balancing act for general manager Adam Peters. He also needs to find ways to pay high-profile trade acquisitions Deebo Samuel and left tackle Laremy Tunsil a year from now, but Peters should still have room for McLaurin.
That room comes from Daniels already being a star, but playing on a rookie contract at football’s most important position. It makes this the ideal time to pay McLaurin.
What a payday might look like was broken down by former agent Joel Corry. He told The Team 980, “to me, the range is probably gonna between $30 and $33 million per year.”
Peters rubber-stamping that outlay will depend a lot on how confident the Commanders are about McLaurin continuing to stay productive into his 30s. It will also depend on how much the team believes the rest of its receiver corps would function without the long-term No. 1.
Commanders Have Stockpiled Terry McLaurin Contingencies
The Commanders haven’t been shy about loading up on alternatives to No. 17. Starting with the trade to acquire All-Pro Samuel from the San Francisco 49ers.
Samuel is supportive of his teammate staying away from offseason work while his future remains in flux, but the presence of another proven playmaker should worry McLaurin. It means offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury has a legitimate featured wide receiver ready to take the reins as Daniels’ primary target.
There’s also the presence of a rookie with “breakout” skills and the potential to earn his share of targets. Even somebody like former Dallas Cowboys 1,000-yard receiver Michael Gallup could be a factor after arriving in free agency this year, provided he can stay healthy.
Ultimately, the Commanders should reach an agreement with McLaurin, but the interesting other options Peters has added this offseason mean there’s no need for panic about when a deal will struck.
