GM Martin Mayhew wants WR Terry McLaurin with Commanders 'for a long time'

Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill and Stefon Diggs all put pen to paper on expensive new contracts that essentially reset the market for NFL wide receivers and have individuals such as Deebo Samuel of the San Francisco 49ers and A.J. Brown of the Tennessee Titans looking to cash in either with their current employers or with different teams this offseason. 

Like Samuel and Brown, Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin is in the final year of his rookie contract and looking to get paid, presumably sooner rather than later. According to Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk, it's expected McLaurin won't do any on-field work for the voluntary offseason program this spring, but general manager Martin Mayhew made it clear on Monday that he wants the 26-year-old to be part of Washington's future beyond the 2022 season. 

"We’re really excited about the opportunity we have with Terry to continue with us for a long time," Mayhew explained. Mayhew added he's had conversations with McLaurin’s representation. 

Interestingly, head coach Ron Rivera said that McLaurin’s contract situation "is not going to affect what we’re thinking about the draft one way or another" even if he inks a new deal before Thursday night. 

McLaurin recorded 77 catches for 1,053 yards and five touchdowns across 17 games during the 2021 regular season but could certainly use additional help on offense. Washington owns pick No. 11 for Thursday evening, and multiple CBS Sports analysts predicted in their latest mock drafts the club will use that asset to improve its defense rather than its offense.