The Washington Commanders are coming off an exciting season in which Jayden Daniels showed exactly why he's considered one of the best young quarterbacks in the league. This summer, the Commanders made a splash by adding Deebo Samuel. But since June, one of their longtime wide receivers has been openly displeased.
“All-Pro WR Terry McLaurin has made it clear to the team that he’s frustrated with the lack of progress on a long-term deal. As I previously reported, McLaurin unexpectedly left voluntary workouts after initially attending, and it remains to be seen whether he’ll report for mandatory minicamp,” NFL insider Jordan Schultz wrote.
Since McLaurin's frustration surfaced, the Commanders have done little to change his stance. With the regular season just weeks away, the concern is growing. McLaurin is currently on the PUP list after ending his holdout and returning to training camp.
“McLaurin became a hold-in and was placed on the physically unable to perform list with an apparent ankle injury suffered last season, though he participated in spring workouts. By reporting, McLaurin could no longer be fined $50,000 per day,” ESPN’s John Keim explained.
Trade speculation has begun to swirl around McLaurin amid the ongoing contract tension. He reportedly has a specific contract structure in mind before even considering an extension.
“Both sides have remained firm in their stances. For Washington, the fact that McLaurin will turn 31 when an extension begins has been a key factor. But he was drafted in the same 2019 class as DK Metcalf and has been equally productive. After getting traded to the Steelers this offseason, Metcalf signed a contract worth $33 million per year with $60 million guaranteed. That deal has served as a guide for McLaurin's demands,” ESPN staff wrote.
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This sheds light on the ongoing standoff and gives some insight into what a potential deal could look like. McLaurin has certainly earned a new contract — but whether Washington is willing to meet his demands remains unclear. If a resolution isn’t reached soon, it may be the Deebo Samuel show come Week 1.