Terry McLaurin's importance to the Washington Commanders cannot be overstated. The wide receiver's always been highly productive despite the quarterback carousel since being drafted in 2019. It was no surprise to see him excel further once rookie signal-caller Jayden Daniels came into the organization.
Daniels and McLaurin hit it off instantly. The pass-catcher went from among the league's most underrated wideouts to a Pro Bowl starter and potential All-Pro candidate. One insider believes his record-breaking campaign is going to come with another lucrative contract extension at some stage during the offseason.
McLaurin broke the franchise record for receiving touchdowns in a single season with 13. The former third-round pick out of Ohio State left it late, expertly bringing in a Marcus Mariota pass with three seconds remaining to secure a last-gasp triumph at the Dallas Cowboys. This represents a tremendous accomplishment that cements his place in team folklore.
Insider expects Commanders to extend Terry McLaurin ahead of time
Albert Breer from Sports Illustrated hinted that the Commanders will reward McLaurin with another long-term deal when their playoff quest ends. He's got one more year remaining on his current agreement with the organization, but getting things sorted ahead of time seems like the smart move for all involved.
"It’s fair to say he might have something else—a new contract—coming his way soon, too."Albert Breer, SI
The wideout is set to count $25 million against the salary cap in 2025. McLaurin is a franchise cornerstone in every sense of the term. Washington needs more in the receiving room to maximize Daniels' rookie contract. But the two-time Pro Bowler is a huge piece of the puzzle until further notice.
Nobody deserves this adulation and environment more than McLaurin.
He remained professional and the model of consistency as all around him crumbled under the previous regime. One postseason appearance is a travesty considering everything he's given to the organization. That's about to double after the Commanders reached the playoffs way ahead of schedule under new head coach Dan Quinn.
McLaurin wants to stay. The Commanders want him around. Getting things done should be relatively straightforward. It should also get Washington's salary cap number down in 2025 once something gets rubber-stamped.
Just how much McLaurin gets on his new deal is debatable. Spotrac projects the pass-catcher to get somewhere in the region of $27.46 million per season on a three-year, $82.4 million contract. This places him ninth among all NFL wide receivers and 36th overall.
Looking at his contribution and the scope for additional improvements once McLaurin's supporting cast improves, it'll be money well spent. He was a shining light amid the chaos. Now, he's one of the catalysts behind a supreme culture shift across the franchise.
The Commanders relied heavily on McLaurin's production and leadership through the good times and bad. He's respected in the locker room and revered among the fanbase. Keeping him around on another extension is an absolute no-brainer.