NFL insider: Terry McLaurin ‘frustrated’ amid contract dispute with Washington Commanders

Terry McLaurin appears to be the next wide receiver due for a contract extension in the NFL. However, the star wideout and the Washington Commanders have yet to put pen to paper.

McLaurin himself said that without any progressive discussions behind the scenes, he doesn’t see how he steps on the field for the Commanders. His $15.5 million base salary for the 2025 season is about half of what the top WRs in the market are worth. Currently in his final year of a three-year, $68.4 million contract, the former Ohio State wideout feels that he is due for a major raise.

“He’s frustrated,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said during an appearance on SportsCenter on Saturday morning. “You heard him this week talking about how there’s no deal. He would like progress being made, or there hasn’t been. I’m told that’s only scratching the surface of the issue here, because that wide receiver market has jumped into that $30 million range. My sense is McLaurin feels Washington hasn’t really been willing to acknowledge that.

“So if they’re not, it’s almost like he’s taking a pay decrease because he’s a year from free agency. So something’s going to have to give here. Cooler heads should prevail.”

McLaurin’s holdout comes as he put up career-high touchdown numbers in Washington in 2024. He scored 13 touchdowns — six more than any other season in his career — by hauling in 82 receptions for 1,096 yards. 2024 was his fifth straight 1,000-yard season with the Commanders, and his sixth overall in the league.

His jump in production is timed with the arrival of star quarterback Jayden Daniels, who helped lead the team to a conference championship game in his rookie season. His presence is expected to keep Washington in contention within the NFC for years to come. However, with just over a month to go before players report to Commanders training camp, time is ticking for Washington to sign him before the start of the regular season.

“They want McLaurin there,” he said. “They’re not trading McLaurin. That was made clear to me from a source with the team.”

The Commanders are set to host their training camp beginning on July 27. It remains to be seen if Washington and McLaurin can come to an agreement by that time. Washington kicks the 2025 NFL season off during Week 1 against the New York Giants on Sept. 7.