Commanders can't push their luck with Terry McLaurin’s extension

From the moment he was selected at pick No. 76 in the 2019 NFL Draft, wide receiver Terry McLaurin has been a fan-favorite on the Washington Commanders.

And now, it's time for Adam Peters to pay up again.

Throughout his career, McLaurin has been a model of consistency and loyalty, sticking it out through five seasons of subpar quarterback play. He was a true pro through it all, never demanding a trade or complaining about not getting the ball enough.

This past season, McLaurin was rewarded for his patience with a stud passer in Jayden Daniels. The gifted pass-catcher enjoyed the best year of his career with 13 touchdowns and 1,096 receiving yards. Now, entering a contract year, he wants his money and might be willing to hold out if he doesn't get it.

Commanders can't afford to have Terry McLaurin's contract become a distraction

Right now, the Commanders have all the momentum in the world on their side. They're coming off of a season in which they shocked the NFL world by advancing to the NFC Championship game. They are poised to be even better in 2025 — at least offensively — after making shrewd trades for a pair of veteran standouts in wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. and left tackle Laremy Tunsil.

Those pieces, particularly Samuel, were brought in specifically to build around an offensive nucleus that McLaurin remains the heartbeat of. He is the steady engine of the receiving corps that makes everyone else click, opening up the field for Washington's other weapons by drawing top cornerback matchups and often facing double teams.

Furthermore, McLaurin's status as a leader is invaluable. He sets an example of professionalism that keeps the rest of the team humble, playing for each other rather than for themselves. The Commanders do not have any 'me-first' attitudes in the locker room, and their star veteran wideout is a major reason why.

Currently, McLaurin is set to complete the final season of a deal worth $68 million over three years. He'll likely be asking for close to the top dollar on his next contract, which could mean upwards of $30 million per year.

It's doubtful that he'll demand as much as the $40.25 million that Cincinnati Bengals superstar Ja'Marr Chase received this past spring, or even Justin Jefferson's $35 million or CeeDee Lamb's $34 million. But Washington will probably have to pony up something in the ballpark just below that, perhaps around the $32.9 million that D.K. Metcalf makes annually.

That should not matter. The Commanders have money to spend, and McLaurin is someone worth spending it on without hesitation.

Let's make this simple: offer McLaurin a blank check and keep him in D.C. for life.

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