Commanders Called Out Over ‘Nickel and Dime’ Approach to $68 Million WR

It hasn’t happened yet, but the frustration over Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin’s absence from training camp over a tense contract negotiation could start to boil over soon.

ESPN’s Louis Riddick laid out the basic points of why the Commanders might start to feel the heat from fans and from their own roster over McLaurin’s absence as he tries to secure a lucrative contract extension.

The Commanders officially put McLaurin on the “Did Not Report” list on July 23 after the team started camp on July 22.

McLaurin earned NFL All-Pro honors for the first time in 2024 paired with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels as the 2 proved to be one of the NFL’s most formidable QB-WR duos from almost Day 1 as Mclaurin racked up 82 receptions for 1,096 yards and a career high 13 touchdowns.

The Commanders went 12-5 in 2024 and made the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1991 and are considered legitimate Super Bowl contenders in 2025.

McLaurin still has one season left on the 3-year, $68.36 million contract extension he signed in June 2022.

“I’m a 10/10 as far as my level of concern … If you want to make sure Jayden Daniels’ trajectory stays on track, that means every day he can be around Terry McLaurin in a football capacity, you make sure they’re in your building or on the practice field together,” Riddick said on “First Take” on July 23. “But now you’ve nickel and dimed (McLaurin) until he’s not even in camp.”

Social Media: Losing Patience With Commanders

The people, if that matters, are firmly behind McLaurin.

The former Ohio State star even took selfies with fans after leaving a morning Yoga session not far from where the Commanders were holding training camp in Ashburn, Virginia, on July 23.

“I am no longer asking,” Commanders fan @Jayden2Terry wrote on X. “(General Mananger) Adam Peters extend Terry McLaurin.” 

“It’s a no brainer to pay Terry Mclaurin,” former Commanders QB Robert Griffin III wrote on his official X account on July 23. “He’s been the heart and soul of the team for YEARS. 5 straight 1k yard seasons. Played every game the last 4 years. Washingon has to get it done and not throw off the team chemistry that is CRUCIAL for Jayden Daniels.”

“Everybody in Washington loves Terry McLaurin,” ESPN’s Peter Schrager said on “The Pat McAfee Show” on July 22. “They didn’t account for an unhappy Terry McLaurin when they went all in on Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil.”

How Much McLaurin Might Cost Commanders

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 has had over 1,000 receiving yards in 5 consecutive seasons.