Commanders Make Clear Statement on McLaurin

As training camp commenced for the Washington Commanders, General Manager Adam Peters delivered a message that fans and players needed to hear. Standing in front of reporters, Peters made it clear that the team wants wide receiver Terry McLaurin under contract long term. That show of commitment came amid mounting speculation, with McLaurin officially holding out as he enters the final year of his current deal.

McLaurin’s absence from camp isn’t just about dollars; it’s about value and respect. Since being drafted in 2019, he has been the Commanders’ most consistent offensive player, a five-time 1,000-yard receiver, and a locker room leader during unstable times. Now, with the team on the rise and a new era unfolding under head coach Dan Quinn, locking down McLaurin isn’t just smart, it’s essential.

A Cornerstone Worth Keeping

When Peters addressed the McLaurin contract situation, he didn’t duck the issue. Instead, he praised McLaurin’s professionalism, his impact on the locker room, and his importance to quarterback Jayden Daniels. Peters also said the front office is working hard to find “common ground” and that the team has “every intention” of keeping Terry in Washington for years to come.

The 2nd-year GM for the Commanders even spoke about his previous handling of contracts as an assistant and how he’s dealing with the urgency to finish a deal with McLaurin as camp starts.

“I wasn’t so much directly involved, but I was a part of it, so I understood how it went. A lot of contracts, I think, that’s just kind of the nature of our business,” Peters said. “You obviously would like to get these things done quicker than longer, but it’s not always going to happen that way. So, I think, for me, just seeing those things secondhand, really, not firsthand, but understanding how that went, just understanding that, first of all, we’re dealing with a really, in the case of Terry, a really good player and a really good person. So, really understanding that and never losing sight of that and making sure that, you know, every conversation we have is very straightforward, honest, and in good faith and just keeping that mindset throughout because there’s going to be twists and turns but just having that confidence and just understanding our goal is to get a long-term deal done. Just keeping focused on that and whatever happens along the way, just understand that he’s a great player, and we want to

keep him here.”

That vote of confidence goes a long way, but now the pressure is on to turn words into action. For a team trying to build long-term success, paying your cornerstone players is the next step. McLaurin has been productive despite a revolving door at quarterback and constant coaching turnover. His 2024 numbers, 82 receptions for 1,096 yards and 13 touchdowns, came with Daniels throwing him the ball.

As Daniels enters his second year, McLaurin’s role becomes even more crucial. He’s the steady target that can bail out a young quarterback under pressure. His precise route running, strong hands, and high football IQ provide reliability in the short game and explosiveness downfield. Without him, the offense would be far less dynamic, even with additions like Deebo Samuel.

From a locker room standpoint, McLaurin has always led by example. He’s been voted team captain several times and has never made off-field headlines until now. His holdout is not confrontational, but rather calculated. It’s about securing his future in the place he’s helped elevate.

Why Timing Matters Now

The contract standoff doesn’t exist in a vacuum. The Commanders are coming off a playoff season, they’ve become a hot pick to challenge for the NFC East, and they’ve got one of the league’s most exciting young quarterbacks. Momentum is real, but losing McLaurin, or letting the drama drag into the season, could seriously disrupt that.

More importantly, Washington can’t afford a fractured locker room in a year with so much on the line. Veteran leaders like Bobby Wagner and Zach Ertz were brought in last season to help shift the culture. But McLaurin has already earned the respect of both veterans and young players alike. How the front office handles his situation will send a clear message about what kind of organization this is under new leadership.

Financially, Washington is in a solid cap situation to get a deal done. With other major receiver contracts on the books around the league, like those for Amon-Ra St. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Jaylen Waddle, McLaurin’s camp likely wants to see compensation in the $32 to $34 million per year range. That is in the conversations of receiver’s AJ Brown ($32M), D.K. Metcalf ($33M), and CeeDee Lamb ($34M). For a player who has never complained, always produced, and embraced Washington through multiple regime changes, the price might be well worth it.

Adam Peters said what needed to be said. Now, it’s time for the Commanders as well as McLaurin to follow through. McLaurin has given the team everything, and now Washington needs to give him a contract that shows he’s still a vital part of its present and future.

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