His fellow wide receiver is still waiting to get paid, but All-Pro Deebo Samuel is understanding about the stance taken by his Washington Commanders teammate Terry McLaurin.
Samuel had plenty to say when the news broke McLaurin hadn’t reported to mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, June 10. Speaking to reporters, Samuel said, “I understand the business side of the things and when he stopped coming, I understand his side of the story,” per ESPN’s John Keim.
As the latter pointed out, Samuel has his own experience of the type of situation McLaurin is working through with the Commanders. Samuel “held out in San Francisco before getting an extension in 2022.”
Back then, Samuel was coming off a banner campaign with the San Francisco 49ers. So is McLaurin after snagging a career-high 13 touchdowns last season, but there is a subtle difference between his situation and Samuel’s status three years ago.
It’s a difference that could spell trouble for McLaurin, even though he’s still expected to eventually find a resolution with the Commanders.
Deebo Samuel Had More Leverage Than Terry McLaurin
When Samuel wanted to get paid by the 49ers, he was able to point to an All-Pro 2021 season. He’d reeled in 77 catches for 1,405 yards and tallied 365 yards and eight scores on the ground.
More than the numbers, Samuel could be confident in his status as the lone alpha playmaker for the Niners. It’s a different story for McLaurin, who is no longer the wideout the Commanders can ill afford to be without.
Not after general manager Adam Peters traded a fifth-round pick to reunite with Samuel. The latter’s arrival, along with the addition of former Dallas Cowboys 1,000-yard receiver Michael Gallup, have given the Commanders the freedom to move on without McLaurin.
That won’t be an easy decision when McLaurin is a true team leader and five-time 1,000-yard receiver. He was also key in helping dynamic dual-threat quarterback Jayden Daniels take the NFL by storm as a rookie.
Maintaining Daniels as one of the league’s premier signal-callers has informed most of Peters’ decisions this offseason. Calls like trading for Samuel and All-Pro blindside protector Laremy Tunsil, as well as re-signing three-time Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz and selecting electric big-play threat, wide receiver Jaylin Lane in Round 4 of the 2025 NFL draft.
It would be a curious move to give up on McLaurin now and remove a key member of a more loaded supporting cast.
Commanders Can Trust History to Solve Contract Drama
History is on the Commanders’ side regarding McLaurin’s next deal. Notably, how he “skipped OTAs and minicamp three years ago before he inked his last extension,” per Dianna Russini of The Athletic.
The idea this is simply a case of history repeating itself is endorsed by The Washington Post’s Neil Greenberg (h/t JP Finlay of NBC4 Sports). Greenberg has “faith the front office will get it done. I think this is just a blip and something to talk about in the offseason…Aging isn’t apparent, if anything he’s taking steps forward now with a competent QB.”
There’s an irony here because paying McLaurin for the long haul became a tougher proposition after big names like Samuel and Tunsil landed on the roster. Figuring out their next contracts won’t be easy if Peters is also making room for improved terms for McLaurin.
It’s a good problem to have when your quarterback is on a rookie deal, and Daniels will only get better if the Commanders add to the talent around him, rather than depleting his targets.
