Terry McLaurin, the star wide receiver for the Washington Commanders, is preparing for his seventh year in the NFL. As contract negotiations have dragged on, he’s become more and more frustrated with the process. Fresh off a stellar 2022 campaign in which McLaurin found the end zone a career-high 13 times, placing him second among all NFL wideouts. Now, he’s just as excited to lock up his future with the team that drafted him in 2019.
In 2022, McLaurin registered 82 receptions for 1,096 yards, his fifth straight season with more than 1,000 receiving yards. These eye-popping numbers have cemented his status as Washington’s best receiver since being drafted in the third round. In the process, he has caught an impressive lifetime 460 passes. With 38 touchdowns, he’s currently sitting 11th all-time on total catches and 13th in touchdowns for active receivers.
As McLaurin approaches the end of his three-year, $68 million extension signed in 2022, he faces the reality of his contract expiring soon. Recent record-setting extensions for star young receivers DK Metcalf and Garrett Wilson only increased the stakes. Both players locked in contracts with an average value north of $32.5 million per year, immediately placing extreme heat on McLaurin’s negotiations.
Whether it’s McLaurin, Congressman Meeks, or anybody else, all these stories emphasize that feeling valued and appreciated goes a long way.
“You do want to feel valued and appreciated,” – Terry McLaurin
“When you have that type of production…and then you see how it’s progressing until this point, that’s very disappointing. I’m just trying to get some clarity. Shoot it to me straight.” – Terry McLaurin
Although there is a cloud of unknown about how long McLaurin’s contract is going to last, he’s all in with the Commanders and not looking for a trade. He stressed the connection he’s formed with quarterback Jayden Daniels, saying their chemistry is off the charts during practice and in games.
We’ve had a lot of great conversations. It’s great to have his support and to know he has my back, McLaurin remarked.
McLaurin’s absence from voluntary spring practices and the mandatory minicamp in June have gotten people talking. He racked up $104,768 in penalties for these no-shows. He wanted to use that pain and passion to skip these practices. His desire to pressure the ownership on the contract situation, not personal feelings towards the organization, motivated this decision.
As he turns 30 in September, a pivotal age for many receivers when their production typically begins to decline, McLaurin is acutely aware of the ticking clock on his career. He fully admitted this pressure and yet still trumped up the idea that he’d exceeded expectations.
“People making it seem like I need to start getting fitted for a walker and a cane,” – Terry McLaurin
McLaurin’s leadership and resolve have long set him apart. He has never wavered in holding himself and others to high standards, especially through the stormy periods within the organization. “When things were adverse…I held my head high and I was a leader. I’m going to continue to do that,” he stated.
His frustrations with the current state of negotiations speaks to the larger issue that players care about the acknowledgement and proper compensation. McLaurin articulated this sentiment clearly:
“It’s obviously the compensation, but it’s kind of like the confusion,” – Terry McLaurin
With the 2023 season fast approaching, McLaurin’s status is the talk of the town among fans and in the front office. The next steps in his contract negotiations will likely have significant implications not just for him but for the Commanders’ offensive strategy moving forward.
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