The Terry McLaurin situation remains one to watch as the countdown to Week 1 continues. A trade request emerged last week, but to no surprise the Commanders have no intention of dealing away their No. 1 receiver. 
McLaurin is owed a total of $19.4MM for 2025, the final year of his current contract. An extension (bringing with it a notable raise) has been a goal all offseason, with Washington seeking to work out a deal. The Commanders are believed to be hesitant about authorizing a pact averaging $30MM or more per year based in large part on McLaurin’s age. Entering his age-30 season, the two-time Pro Bowler is a candidate to see his production drop off while playing out his third contract.
To date, though, McLaurin has been a model of consistency with five straight 1,000-yard campaigns and a strong debut season with quarterback Jayden Daniels. A move toward the top of the receiver market has thus been sought out, with the new deal signed by D.K. Metcalf upon arrival with the Steelers named as a McLaurin target. Both 2019 draftees have strong track records of production, but Metcalf being two years younger is a factor in his favor regarding a comparison for financial purposes.
McLaurin has been linked to Metcalf’s $33MM-per-year pact with respect to his Commanders asking price. While portions of the Metcalf accord are indeed on McLaurin’s radar, Dianna Russini of The Athletic notes a matching AAV is not necessarily being sought out (video link). Once the trade sending him from Seattle to Pittsburgh was finalized, Metcalf signed an extension including $80MM in total guarantees and $60MM locked in at signing. Those figures could also be key, in addition to overall value, in negotiations between the Commanders and McLaurin’s camp.
Washington general manager Adam Peters added Deebo Samuel this offseason as part of his efforts to improve the skill-position group complementing McLaurin in 2025. A number of changes along the offensive line could also help Daniels during Year 2 as the team looks to build off last year’s run to the NFC title game. Of course, McLaurin will again be a central figure in determining the Commanders’ success provided he is on the field this fall.
Samuel is a pending free agent, and Daniels having plenty of term remaining on his rookie contract should provide Washington with the opportunity to make at least a short-term investment with respect to a third McLaurin contract. If/when a deal is reached, it will be interesting to see how similar his new pact looks compared to Metcalf’s.
Pay him or trade him.