Terry McLaurin's contract battle with the Washington Commanders is a dark cloud still lingering over the franchise. The wide receiver handed in a trade request in a final attempt to force the issue. It didn't have the desired effect.
The ramifications from this will be severe if McLaurin doesn't have a new contract by the time Week 1 against the New York Giants rolls around. He's not practiced with his teammates for months. Other wideouts are getting thrust into more pivotal roles, but they don't compare to the former third-round pick out of Ohio State.
Both sides are dug into the trenches, unwilling to budge. That makes finding some middle ground difficult, and time is of the essence. But for quarterback Jayden Daniels, it's about staying focused on the task at hand until his most prolific pass-catcher is back in the mix.
Jayden Daniels focused on improving as Commanders remain at loggerheads with Terry McLaurin
Daniels is confident that it will happen, sooner rather than later, based on his comments to Evan Washburn from CBS Sports. Until then, he's going to put in the hard work needed to get better. And when McLaurin is willing to take the field, their chemistry should pick up where it left off.
"Control what I can control. I know one day 17 [Terry McLaurin] will be running out here and hopefully soon but I can't control what he has going on with his business or the front office. I got to go out there and try to be the best version of myself each and every and just hope one day it all gets resolved and 17's back out here catching passes."Jayden Daniels
"I know one day 17 will be running out here — and hopefully soon."
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) August 4, 2025
Jayden Daniels on Terry McLaurin.@EvanWashburn pic.twitter.com/buzQzMLT0c
This is the correct attitude to take. Daniels can't control what's going on in negotiations between McLaurin's representatives and the Commanders. He's also got bigger things to worry about as the franchise player on the brink of genuine superstardom.
Not having McLaurin around could be a distraction. Daniels is made of sterner stuff. He boasts a resolve and work ethic that immediately won respect in the locker room. Things will be more difficult this time around, but the No. 2 pick in 2024 has the mentality to take absolutely nothing for granted.
As for McLaurin? He's working hard at the facility, just not on the practice field. The wideout reportedly wants around $30 million per season on his next deal, which wouldn't begin until he was 31 years old. That's what gives Peters concern, and there has been no backing down from either side as yet.
What comes next is unclear. But nothing has changed from Daniels' perspective as preparations for the new season gather pace.