Adam Peters' latest comments about Terry McLaurin's future with the Commanders are exactly what you want to hear
The Washington Commanders made some big moves over the last few weeks and each one will have its own effect on how things play out in 2025 and even beyond.Adam Peters and Co. aren't done, either. The NFL Draft is a little more than three weeks away and the Commanders still have five draft picks […]
The Washington Commanders made some big moves over the last few weeks and each one will have its own effect on how things play out in 2025 and even beyond.
Adam Peters and Co. aren't done, either. The NFL Draft is a little more than three weeks away and the Commanders still have five draft picks they can use to add more potential difference-makers.
The draft can pay off in both the short- and long-term, as we saw last year. And as it turns out, there's another move they can make that's of the same context and that's extending star wide receiver Terry McLaurin.
McLaurin is coming off the best year of his career and is entering the final year of the three-year extension he signed back in 2022. He's slated to make $19.650 million in cash and counts $25.5 million against the cap. He turns 30-years-old in September, so he still has plenty of gas left in the tank.
It's not just what he does on the field, though. He is absolutely adored by both the franchise and the fans and his teammates hold him in the highest of regards. In terms of the "pulse" he provides – it's right on the same level as Jayden Daniels, if not more.
That's why Peters' latest comments on extension talks with McLaurin are as encouraging as they are. Per The Washington Post's Nicki Jhabvala, Peters told reporters that they have in fact had talks with McLaurin and his team and that they are going well. The Commanders general manager also made it clear they want McLaurin around for the indefinite.
"We want to make Terry a Commander for a long time," Peters said Monday at the NFL's Spring Meetings.
What would an extension for Terry McLaurin look like?
McLaurin is one of the NFL's best deep threats and he's a complete receiver, in general. Sure, his total numbers aren't up there with guys like Justin Jefferson and A.J. Brown, but he's just as effective as they when given the opportunity and again, his status as a team leader and franchise pillar are crucial to the team's identity. He immediately developed a Pro Bowl-level rapport with Daniels, as well, which is obviously huge for the long run.
Per NFL salary cap analysts Josh Queipo and Kyle DeDiminicantanio, McLaurin isn't projected to come cheaply, but that's totally expected considering his resume and the current receiver market. Queipo and DeDiminicantanio project his extension will amount to $30.33 million per year. Their proposed structure would make McLaurin the fourth-highest paid receiver in terms of cash flow and the Commanders would clear around $10 million in cap space.
… Given McLaurin’s status in the Commanders locker room and how he has stuck by an organization that has been fraught with ineptitude until the last year or so, I would venture to guess that he and his representation will be able to get a bit more out of Washington. Tyreek Hill and Brandon Aiyuk sit at $30 million APY each and Amon-Ra St. Brown is $2,500 ahead of them.
I think McLaurin will be able to make the case for clearing all three to get himself to sixth overall in the APY standings at $30.33 million, even if his guarantees may align more with a $29 million valuation.
Given the third-contract status and McLaurin’s age I would expect the deal to be for three years giving the total contract a $91 million value. – Josh Queipo and Kyle DeDiminicantanio
Regardless of price, the Commanders have the dollars to make everything work. Both parties obviously want it to work, as well, so it's more a matter of "when" and not "if" the deal gets done.
