JUNE 13: McLaurin does indeed plan to skip this week’s mandatory minicamp, as he continues to try and leverage a new contract, Jhabvala tweets. The Commanders can fine their standout receiver more than $90K, though McLaurin’s absence — as Washington begins its Wentz era — looms larger than the small fine he will incur.
JUNE 12: In an offseason which has seen skyrocketing contract values for young receivers, the Commanders face a crucial decision with respect to Terry McLaurin. The team is seeking an extension with him, but a new contract does not appear to be forthcoming. 
Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post reports (via Twitter) that negotiations are ongoing, but the two sides remain “far apart.” The 26-year-old is eligible for an extension for the first time in his career, after three seasons operating as the team’s focal point on offense. Despite a rotating cast of quarterbacks, he has produced back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, leading many to believe he would join A.J. Brown as a 2019 draftee receiving a substantial raise this offseason.
The chances of a deal being signed seemed to increase when it was reported Washington curtailed some its free agent spending knowing a McLaurin extension (as well as one for Daron Payne) needed to be accounted for. However, there has clearly been little progress made since then.
The former third-rounder was expected to be present at OTAs, albeit without taking part in on-field work. However, it became known last month that McLaurin has been away from the team since the draft. That left the matter of his minicamp attendance in question. On that point, Jhabvala adds that it “seems unlikely” at this point that he will be present for the three-day mandatory practice period. In that event, the Ohio State alum would become subject to as much as $93K in fines, at the team’s discretion.
Moving towards a year which, given the addition of quarterback Carson Wentz and receiver Jahan Dotson in the first round of the draft, could see the Commanders improve on offense, the contract situation with their top wideout is set to remain a contentious issue for at least the immediate future.
The who
The Commanders
Shoulda just paid the tribe for licensing rights now it’s a lose lose
You make it sound like the issue with the old name was that it was a trademark.
There are three Major League Baseball teams named after socks. Commanders is fine.
Ya commanders is fine I guess at least American military figures taking out natives is kinda our thing
McLaurin benefited from the Washington receiving corps being utter nonsense the last two years – thus a lot of balls were thrown his way – but he generally couldn’t consistently beat good corner play. On a team with a real number one receiver he would likely be a number 2, thus I wouldn’t pay him like the top tier guys.
To play devils advocate he also hasn’t had a football thrown to him by a decent qb his whole career either. I would be curious to see what he would do in a legit offense.
He had lousy QBs, and I think you could just as easily argue he had the challenge of being the only receiver opposing defenses had to worry about.
You can say McLaurin isn’t a real number one, but can you honestly name 20 better receivers right now?
Dotson will outshine McLaurin this year and he knows it – that’s why he’s after the cash.
Ah yes, it’s definitely because he “knows” this year’s WR5 will outshine him as a rookie and not because he’s put up a thousand yards a year with dreadful QBs and is finally eligible for an extension after making a grand total of three million. If Dotson outshines him this year, it’s probably because Dotson’s in the slot and Wentz isn’t throwing the ball more than eight yards.
It’s Washington, so why would anyone expect a quick and efficient resolution? McLaurin will witness the same foot dragging tactics that were used on Kirk Cousins and Trent Williams.