Terry McLaurin enjoyed a highly productive campaign in 2024, continuing his run as the focal point of the Commanders’ passing attack and forming a strong connection with quarterback Jayden Daniels. Early this offseason, general manager Adam Peters made it clear an extension was high on the team’s to-do list. 
In spite of those two factors, it has become increasingly team and player have not made much in the way of progress at the negotiating table. McLaurin is aiming for a third Washington contract, but his absence from spring practices was the first of multiple illustrations of his frustrations. The Pro Bowl wideout was also among the extension-eligible players who skipped mandatory minicamp this week.
Plenty of time remains for an agreement to be reached before a potential training camp holdout, but work will need to be done to take care of one of the team’s top remaining pieces of offseason business. One year remains on McLaurin’s pact, and he is owed $15.5MM in non-guaranteed salary for 2025. With a scheduled cap charge $25.5MM, an extension would benefit both parties in this case. As of last week, though, nothing was imminent regarding a deal coming together.
Some eyebrows have been raised by outside observers at the extent to which the McLaurin talks have run into trouble, and they are not alone in that regard. A team source informed ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler of the surprise at how the situation has arrived at this point (video link). The source confirmed Washington’s desire to keep McLaurin, 29, in the organization for the remainder of his career. To more of an extent than the Commanders expected, however, attaining that goal has proven to be challenging.
A second-team All-Pro performer last season, McLaurin topped 1,000 yards for the fifth straight campaign while setting a new career high with 13 touchdowns. The Ohio State product has managed to produce despite a Washington tenure marked by quarterback instability prior to Daniels’ arrival and a lack of consistent No. 2 receiver options. The Commanders were known to be in the market for a WR addition this offseason, and the trade for Deebo Samuel will give them a new starter at the position. Samuel is a pending 2026 free agent, meaning he joins McLaurin in having an uncertain future past the coming campaign.
The latter remains a priority regarding an extension agreement, but it will be interesting to see how close to the top of the receiver market Washington is willing to go. McLaurin would be subject to fines if he were to skip time during training camp next month, although a breakthrough in negotiations would of course make that a moot point.
