Projecting a contract extension for Terry McLaurin
The long-term contract
The likelier of options between contracts looks like the long-term deal for Terry McLaurin and his representatives. Entering his age-28 season in the NFL, he’ll be approaching his 30’s in the meat of this contract. When the cap hit begins to rise is when McLaurin will be entering the later years of his career.
His comrades at the position who have signed their long-term contracts have embraced four and five-year deals to maximize financial security and comfort in the region of their choice. In addition, for players like McLaurin that have made such little money, long-term deals loaded with higher guaranteed dollars are where it’s at if you’re looking to maximize your money and your long-term security in the NFL.
For starters, there are only six receivers that have signed deals that last five seasons. From Brandin Cooks to Michael Thomas, the wide receiver market is as weird as it gets. You’d think the elite of the elite would try and combine longer deals and higher guarantees, but recently in the NFL, it hasn’t gone that way for FA wideouts. Five-year deals are becoming extinct to a point, with big-time WR’s opting instead for the three and four-year routes.
But as I’ve mentioned numerous times, some of these players were first and second-round picks, making double and triple the amount that Terry McLaurin will see over his first four seasons. McLaurin may opt for the three and four-year deal, but I’d think if the guarantees are correct on a five-year contract, he’d leap at the opportunity. So, here’s what a long-term deal looks like for Washington’s best player:
- 5-years, $101.25 million
- $65.8 million practical guaranteed
- $20.25 million AAV
This would place Terry McLaurin No. 23 in the NFL in terms of practical guaranteed dollars, but No. 1 for his position. Again, some may scoff at the fact that I’m projecting that McLaurin will (and should) be Washington’s highest-paid player and among the highest-paid wideouts in the NFL, but the facts are the facts. The production hasn’t been discussed much in this piece, but you know what it is. The off-field stuff is there. The on-field stuff is there.
For an elite WR1, this is the going rate for talents who are on that level. Whether it’s a $17-million dollar tag placed on Chris Godwin and Allen Robinson, or a new $27-million AAV contract for Deandre Hopkins, the money is flowing for elite talents at the position.
The crazy thing is, McLaurin deserves to be a part of that bunch as well. On pace for another 1,080+ yard season without a franchise quarterback, combined with the leadership ability he brings and the way he elevates the offensive talent around him, Terry is worthy of every dollar and cent imaginable to the Washington Football Team.
