Terry McLaurin plays his final card in intensifying Commanders contract battle

There was a sense of inevitability about what came next in the contract standoff between Terry McLaurin and the Washington Commanders. Fans don't like it, and rightfully so, but this is all part of the business.

McLaurin wants a new deal. He's willing to take drastic action to get it. The Commanders are dug in, failing to meet the wide receiver's valuation as they look for an agreement that benefits the player and the franchise.

Both sides remain far apart on some middle ground, according to reports. Adam Peters revealed that they are still working through things in pursuit of reaching their common goal. Until then, there will be no sign of McLaurin on the practice field.

The second-team All-Pro was absent from conditioning tests on the eve of Washington's first training camp practice. McLaurin won't be risking injury until more long-term financial security arrives. And this trend will continue when the Commanders take to the field at their upgraded Ashburn facility.

Commanders won't have Terry McLaurin around until his new deal is agreed upon

Unsurprisingly, McLaurin was absent. The dark cloud surrounding the organization grew larger, and this is rapidly becoming an unwanted distraction that the Commanders don't need as preparations for the new campaign gather pace.

Now, the Commanders have officially placed McLaurin on the reserve/did not report list.

Head coach Dan Quinn is getting non-football questions that he feels uncomfortable answering. He remains highly supportive of McLaurin, but the focus is firmly on the players around him and getting them ready for the challenges that lie ahead.

The battle lines have been drawn. Just when one side concedes is the big question that nobody knows the answer to right now.

McLaurin is getting advice from his representatives, and he's stung by the way he's been treated by the Commanders during negotiations earlier this offseason. At the same time, Peters is running the football operation with a business-first mindset that has the team's best interests at heart.

A quick resolution has been and gone. The longer McLaurin is off the field, the more detrimental it'll be to the team's chances. But there is no sign of the player right now, so his fate lands squarely in the hands of his agent and whether something can be worked out with Peters.

North of $30 million per season is the asking price. Peters is reportedly a long way from that currently, so this might drag on for a while yet unless there are some significant concessions from one side or both.

Fans don't want to hear it. They just want McLaurin back amongst his teammates. Nothing else will suffice.

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