Terry McLaurin Michael Owens/GettyImages

Former Commanders exec torches team over cheap Terry McLaurin standoff

Originally posted on Riggo's Rag | By Dean Jones | Last updated Jul 24, 2025 10:00 AM ET

Terry McLaurin is on the reserve/did not report list as his contract standoff with the Washington Commanders continues. Adam Peters remains confident that an acceptable agreement can be reached, but it's a frustrating waiting game for everyone until then.

And one former leading figure in Washington's front office thought Petters was playing with fire by letting things drag on into training camp.

There is some discrepancy about what McLaurin wants and what the Commanders are willing to pay. The former third-round pick is reportedly seeking more than $30 million per season. Peters is reluctant, given that this is his third NFL contract and the second-team All-Pro will be 30 years old in September.

McLaurin is in the area, eager to rejoin his teammates when both sides reach a compromise that suits. But the longer he's missing from practice, the less time he has to extend his blossoming chemistry with second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Louis Riddick is deeply concerned about Commanders' approach with Terry McLaurin

This didn't sit well with Louis Riddick, Washington's ex-director of player personnel, who's now an analyst for ESPN. He thought the Commanders were being cheap, and it's got the scope to jeopardize the team and Daniels' hopes of going one better next time around.

I’m a 10/10 as far as my level of concern … If you want to make sure Jayden Daniels’ trajectory stays on track, that means every day he can be around Terry McLaurin in a football capacity, you make sure they’re in your building or on the practice field together. But now you’ve nickel and dimed (McLaurin) until he’s not even in camp.Louis Riddick via Heavy

.@LRiddickESPN is highly concerned about Terry McLaurin's absence from training camp pic.twitter.com/JebHAVXatB
— First Take (@FirstTake) July 23, 2025

This is proving much more complicated than most fans envisaged. At the same time, Peters is not running a charity. He's running the football operation like a business, and he should. That doesn't alter just because he's dealing with a franchise cornerstone.

Complex negotiations like this take time. But league history is littered with holdouts that go on too long and teams paying a heavy price for their delay.

McLaurin doesn't have any remaining cards to play. He's unlikely to hand in a trade request, but nothing has been completely dismissed on that front. Good faith remains, and the Commanders are working to find the right deal, but this should be the only thing on Peters' agenda until it's solved.

If that means paying a little more than he originally anticipated, so be it. And after everything McLaurin has given to the organization, he's more than earned it.