Winning cures all, and for a Washington Commanders team that exceeded every expectation in 2024, it was an unfamiliar taste for much of the fanbase.
The arrival of star quarterback Jayden Daniels flipped this organization's fate, looking like the league's next elite quarterback en route to the NFC Championship Game. Washington responded in kind, accelerating the rebuild and finding high-profile veterans to reinforce the supporting cast.
But as the Commanders enter camp, they'll do so without their best receiver, Terry McLaurin, who is holding out for an extension. Simply put, letting this situation get out of hand could spoil an offseason's worth of acquisitions.
Washington must extend McLaurin
The Commanders' ascension toward the top of the NFC has temporarily earned the front office the benefit of the doubt. It's easy to buy into what Washington is doing, especially when it follows the principle of building around a successful young quarterback.
General manager Adam Peters is rightfully spending big during Daniels' rookie window and is willing to take chances while he can afford to. Trading for left tackle Laremy Tunsil and receiver Deebo Samuel presented easy upgrades for the offense, even if age and injury concerns cloud their projection.
However, it's worth taking a closer look at Washington's Super Bowl chances. In 2024, Daniels' offense converted nearly 80% of its fourth-down attempts, an unsustainable rate. The Commanders were blown out by a Philadelphia Eagles team with far more talent in the playoffs, and they didn't necessarily bridge that gap in the spring. With a potential second-year slump from Daniels, a little less luck, and a second-place schedule, this is not a team guaranteed to make the playoffs, especially as the NFC East grows tougher.
And yet, Washington's okay playing hardball with its best weapon.
McLaurin is currently playing on a three-year, $69.6 million deal that ranks 19th in total value among receivers and 17th in average annual value. As he enters a contract year, it's reasonable for him to seek a deal more aligned with his talent. He has posted five consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns despite dealing with below-average (if not worse) quarterbacking each season until 2024. In his first year with Daniels, he scored a career-high 13 touchdowns.
MORE: Commanders' Bobby Wagner gives blunt response to Terry McLaurin contract questions
By most accounts, McLaurin is a better receiver than his contract would suggest. He's not a particularly poor bet to age gracefully into his 30s (as he enters his age-30 campaign), and he hasn't missed a game since 2020.
This is among the easier contract situations a front office can find itself deliberating. McLaurin is a proven homegrown star and an important piece to a playoff-bound offense. According to Over the Cap, Washington has $65 million in 2026 cap space and $190 million waiting for them in 2027, more than enough room to spend on McLaurin. There's no exodus of stars coming, either.
The Commanders are far less likely to win a Super Bowl without McLaurin on the perimeter. Replacing him with an early-round pick is similarly risky -- an unnecessary gamble during a competitive window.
If the front office can't get this one right, it begs the question of whether their recent success deserves the leniency they've been given. Samuel showed signs of decline in an injury-riddled 2024 campaign. Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw was given an inexplicable $15 million AAV deal after his poor showing with the New York Jets. Washington is relying on post-prime veterans at every level of the defense, including Von Miller, Bobby Wagner, and Marshon Lattimore.
There is no elite unit on this roster. Daniels is a superstar, but the shine of last season might be painting the Commanders in a better light than their offseason deserves. And if they are bold enough to enter the season without their star receiver, they will risk wasting one of the most promising seasons in franchise history.
Anything less than a summer extension would be a failure for this front office.
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