General Manager Adam Peters has been a busy man this offseason.
From trading for Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil to signing and re-signing players like Javon Kinlaw and Bobby Wagner, Peters is not afraid to spend money to improve a team that was one win away from competing in the Super Bowl. Along with all of that, he still has to prepare for the NFL Draft at the end of April.
But there is still one more thing to do: extend Terry McLaurin.
Terry McLaurin is still in his prime
McLaurin, entering his age-30 season, is still producing at a high level.
Since being drafted in 2019, he has been Washington’s most reliable offensive weapon despite the carousel of quarterback play until this past season. Once McLaurin finally had elite quarterback play in Jayden Daniels, he had the best season of his career.
In 2024, McLaurin’s final stat line was:
- 82 catches
- 1,096 yards
- 13 total touchdowns (career high)
Both Commanders, McLaurin Interested in Getting a Deal Done
On Up & Adams at the NFL Annual Meeting, Kay Adams had a simple question for Peters: “Is it time to get the Terry deal done?”
Peters’ answer should encourage Commanders fans. “Love Terry. We’ve had some really good conversations with his representatives. We want to make Terry a Commander for a long time,” Peters said.
McLaurin’s impact is bigger than his on-field production
McLaurin has become one of the most popular players in Washington. After a big catch or touchdown, it’s inevitable to hear fans erupt in “Terry! Terry! Terry!” chants.
In his six years in the NFL, McLaurin has personified professionalism. He has endured four different head coaches, 12 starting quarterbacks and the dysfunction of Dan Snyder’s ownership. Before 2024, the most wins McLaurin had seen in a season was eight in 2022.
Through it all, McLaurin has remained a constant leader, showing up every day with a smile on his face and setting the standard for his team.
McLaurin is also a leader in the community. In 2022, he started the Terry McLaurin Foundation, a charity that helps underserved children reach their full potential by providing them the tools to succeed in the classroom and beyond.
What will it cost?
McLaurin is entering the final year of his three-year, $68,364,000 contract he signed in 2022. Ja’Marr Chase is currently the highest-paid wide receiver, signing a record-setting four-year, $161 million deal, which averages to $40.3 million per year.
McLaurin won’t command that sort of money, as Chase is younger and more productive. However, a deal like the one D.K. Metcalf just signed with the Steelers at a four-year, $132 million ($33 million average per year) would be in the ballpark of what McLaurin could get.
Peters and the Commanders can leverage the fact that they don’t have to pay Daniels for a few years, so they can spend more outside of the quarterback position on players like McLaurin. They can even overpay a bit for McLaurin to reward him for his service because they do not have to pay Daniels.
Given McLaurin’s production and age, a figure between $30 and $33 million per year seems reasonable.
Patience is a virtue.
It’s clear that both the Commanders and McLaurin want to get something done. However, it might take a while. When McLaurin signed his first extension in 2022, it took until the end of June to complete that deal.
It’s important to note that the circumstances have changed greatly with a new owner and general manager. While that could speed up the process, fans should not panic if talks work well into the summer.
What matters most is ensuring McLaurin remains in Washington, where he belongs, for the rest of his career.
