Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin expressed on Tuesday that he was disappointed with the status of his contract talks with the front office.
“I’ve been pretty frustrated, I’m not going to lie,” McLaurin told the media after shooting a commercial with Easterns Automotive Group. “Everything that has transpired up until this point has been disappointing and frustrating… I understand everything is a business, but at the same time, I want to put myself in a position where I’m valued and feel appreciated, and unfortunately, that hasn’t transpired the way I wanted it to.”
The second-team All-Pro is entering the final year of a three-year, $68 million extension he signed in 2022. He’s due to make a total of $19.6 million.
He’s coming off a season in which he set a Commanders franchise record for receiving touchdowns (13) and notched his fifth straight 1,000-yard receiving season.
McLaurin claimed he was not asking the Commanders for a trade but noted that “it takes two to tango.”
“With how the market is today, it conveys what guys of my caliber are deserving of,” McLaurin said. “I feel I fit in that box because of how I’ve carried myself on and off the field. I don’t want to feel like you have to beg for someone to see your worth and value.
“If they don’t feel I’m part of their future, that’s fine, just tell me that. I’m an adult and can handle hard truths.”
The Commanders’ veterans are scheduled to report for training camp on Tuesday, July 22. General Manager Adam Peters is running out of time to work out a resolution before potentially eating into valuable practice time, though McLaurin revealed that he had not heard from him in more than a month.
“I guess you can say there is a point of no return. I don’t think it’s at that now, but… time is kind of ticking,” McLaurin said. “Without any progressive discussions, I don’t see how I step on the field.”
McLaurin, who turns 30 in September, missed two weeks of voluntary minicamp practices in the spring and the three-day mandatory minicamp last month. He was fined $104,768 for his absences.
Despite his age, the Commanders’ wideout said that he still had plenty of gas in his tank. He’s only played six professional seasons and just had the most productive season of his career in concert with the arrival of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Several prominent receivers – DK Metcalf, Tee Higgins, and Garrett Wilson – signed new contracts this offseason.
Metcalf’s four-year, $132 million deal came with $60 million guaranteed; Wilson got $2 million fewer overall but landed $90 million guaranteed; Higgins received $115 million total with $40.9 million guaranteed at signing.
Metcalf, who turns 28 in December, is the oldest of the three.
The Commanders’ front office is under pressure not only by their balance sheet, but by the potential harm they could do to Daniels’ development if they don’t come to terms with McLaurin.
The 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year forged a strong connection with McLaurin, whose 82 receptions were nearly one-fourth of the team’s total. The veteran receiver is also regarded as one of the best locker room guys in the NFL.
“We’ve had a lot of great conversations, and I’ll keep the specifics between us,” McLaurin said. “It’s great to have his support and to know he has my back and see how we’ve grown in our relationship. I truly believe we need each other.”
The Commanders greatly exceeded expectations last year, going 12-5 and making a run to the NFC Championship Game.
FanDuel Sportsbook lists the Commanders fifth in odds to win the NFC (+950) and seventh in odds to win the Super Bowl (+1900) in the coming season.
