Breaking: Commanders pro bowl wide out misses OTAs after contract negotiations
Terry McLaurin was not present when the Commanders’ OTAs started on Wednesday. According to Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports, the Pro Bowl wide out was also absent from the squad during previous voluntary practices.
Naturally, a lot of seasoned athletes miss team events during this time of year in order to keep to their own routines until required minicamp. However, absences can be significant for individuals who qualify for an extension. According to Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post, McLaurin is understood to be looking for a new contract. In this case, a $2.8 million roster bonus was paid out in March, and McLaurin still owes $15.5 million in base pay for 2025, which is the last year of his contract. During the 29-year-old’s stellar Washington career, the receiver market has continued to grow, so if another extension can be negotiated, a raise will be due. General manager Adam Peters stated earlier in the summer that a new McLaurin contract was a top goal.
Given the Ohio State product’s years of reliable performances as the Commanders’ top receiver, that wasn’t shocking. With Jayden Daniels in charge last season, McLaurin easily set a new career high with 13 touchdowns in 2024, his fifth consecutive 1,000-yard performance. Expectations for McLaurin will continue to be high even with the addition of Deebo Samuel as a starting receiver through a trade.
When Ja’Marr Chase inked his long-awaited Bengals deals this offseason, the number of wideouts averaging at least $30MM per year rose to eight. McLaurin – whose existing pact carries an AAV of $23.2MM – is a strong candidate to join that group on his third career deal. Making such an investment, especially while Daniels is on his rookie contract, would likely be a sound move considering the production which has been seen with a number of previous quarterbacks in the nation’s capital since 2019.
McLaurin is due to carry a $25.5MM cap charge as things stand. A long-term deal will no doubt lower that figure while ensuring a trip to free agency next spring does not become possible. It will interesting to see if negotiations pick up in a bid to get McLaurin back in the fold.
