It was hard to keep up with the incredible changes across the Washington Commanders over the last year. There haven't been many constants. Terry McLaurin is one of them.
General manager Adam Peters stated that there were a few cornerstone pieces to build around when he took the job. Again, McLaurin was one of them.
The wide receiver maintained his supreme influence on and off the field under the new regime. McLaurin produced good numbers as the Commanders barely treaded water throughout Ron Rivera's four-year tenure. With an improved supporting cast that also included rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, the prolific pass-catcher took his game to even greater heights in 2024.
McLaurin is the No. 1 alpha in Washington's wideout room. He's developed a strong rapport with Daniels and acquired a flair for the big moment. There are other reasons behind the Commanders' memorable run to the postseason in their first season under head coach Dan Quinn, but it doesn't happen without the former third-round pick out of Ohio State.
A second Pro Bowl selection was the least McLaurin deserved. He also happened to break the franchise record for regular-season receiving touchdowns with 13, which represents a significant accomplishment.
Albert Breer from Sports Illustrated recently hinted that a new contract could be in McLaurin's immediate future once Washington's playoff involvement ends. That seems like the smart course of action to avoid unnecessary complications down the line. How much money the veteran gets is another matter.
Commanders must get Terry McLaurin's extension sorted quickly with the price going up
McLaurin's importance to the Commanders cannot be overstated. He's an integral part of the team's plans and one of the NFL's most reliable wide receivers. This sort of production and loyalty will be rewarded at some stage.
Spotrac took a swing at what McLaurin's market value could be heading into negotiations. The salary-cap guru projected the wideout to get around $27.46 million per season on a three-year, $82.4 million deal. That would place him at No. 9 among active wide receivers and No. 36 overall in the NFL.
The Commanders would be wise to wrap this up quickly. McLaurin's price is only going to go up — especially once Ja'Marr Chase gets his record-breaking deal from the Cincinnati Bengals and Tee Higgins' free-agent deal if he hits the open market. Fortunately for Washington, they boast much more conviction and experience in the front office with Peters leading the charge.
He's been around long enough to know that players like McLaurin don't come along every day. The Commanders have enough money to get a deal done. Depending on how the contract is structured, it could even get the cap number down in 2025 for good measure.
McLaurin wants to be in Washington. He's relished the prospect of being part of a winning culture. He's a natural leader revered by his peers and beloved across the fanbase. He'll be 30 years old when the season begins, but there is a lot of good football left in the tank.
The Commanders and McLaurin were the perfect match. Another contract will potentially allow him to become a Washington lifer.