The Washington Commanders finally extended wide receiver Terry McLaurin last summer following a long contract standoff. But according to one NFL insider, this relationship may run its course sooner than fans think.
McLaurin wanted to be paid the going rate after earning second-team All-Pro honors in 2024. General manager Adam Peters wasn't going to budge until the deal benefited Washington. Mistakes were made, and the wideout's injury problems throughout last season only added to the frustration.
The former Ohio State star is under contract through the 2028 season, but there is no guaranteed money beyond 2026. McLaurin is a focal point on offense, someone new offensive coordinator David Blough wants to build the passing attack around. But according to Matthew Berry of NBC Sports, things could get a lot complicated after that.
NFL insider wouldn't be shocked if Commanders and Terry McLaurin parted ways in 2026
The insider, citing conversations at the NFL Scouting Combine, wouldn't be shocked if the 2026 season was McLaurin's final campaign in Washington. It's a startling notion, almost inconceivable when one considers what he means to the Commanders both on and off the field.
"The team will look to add to the wide receiver room with an emphasis on speed and don’t be surprised if 2026 is Terry McLaurin’s last year with the team."
McLaurin's cap number skyrockets to $34 million and $39.5 million in the final two years of his deal. This is by far the biggest commitment the Commanders have ever made to a player, so the production must match it.
When the wideout was healthy last season, he remained ultra-consistent despite not having quarterback Jayden Daniels to depend on more often than not. But at 31 years old in September, it adds another layer to the equation.
This is what Peters wanted. He remained resolute to get a legitimate out on McLaurin's deal next season and beyond if his performance levels started to dip. Hopefully, that won't be the case, and the 2019 third-round pick can become a career lifer in Washington. But the front-office leader wasn't going to leave anything to chance.
It would be a bombshell of epic proportions if this turned out to be McLaurin's swansong with the team that drafted him. He's part of the fabric, staying professional and productive throughout some turbulent times. His influence in the locker room is almost unparalleled, which you cannot truly put a price on.
Peters is running the Commanders like a business, which is the correct way to go about things. Nothing in the NFL is guaranteed, and previous franchise cornerstones get cut or traded every offseason. That could raise the stakes for McLaurin, but a supreme bounce-back within Blough's schematic concepts seems far more likely than any early exit.