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Will 'Common Sense' Prevail In Commanders' Terry McLaurin Contract Saga?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Jul 7, 2025 6:44 AM ET

We are now a couple of weeks away from likely seeing Washington Commanders' receiver Terry McLaurin consider holding out of training camp.

The star wideout has reportedly been unhappy with the lack of progress in negotiations for a new deal, and for a player deemed critical to the offense's success, that isn't ideal.

McLaurin held out of mandatory minicamp and now looks set to continue that at training camp, which for a franchise aiming for a Super Bowl, this has to get done, and quick.

But for ESPN's Dan Graziano, things aren't exactly going well, with a lack of movement being the big story.

“Unfortunately, not a ton, which is really the story,” Graziano said on NFL Live. “The Commanders and Terry McLaurin haven't made much progress toward a new deal. He has one year left on his contract, going to make about $19.5 million this year, but of course, we know the wide receiver market has sailed way past that. So, McLaurin would like something that brings his contract a little more in line with the top guys and reflects the way he performed.

"Common sense indicates that this gets done at some point. He wants to be there. They want him there. But so far, they really have not been able to see eye to eye.”

Given how the Commanders approached the offseason with the "all-in" trades of Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil, it doesn't make sense that the franchise would jeopardize its chances of a deep playoff run over paying its most consistent and loyal player.

Set to want roughly $30 million APY, the going rate for receivers, there's no denying McLaurin is worth that, and it appears he is determined to get it.

As Graziano states, common sense should prevail here, but as we know, when this sort of money is involved, from the outside at least, there might not be much common sense at play here.

Terry wants a new deal, and yes, we think he and the franchise will come to terms, but the longer this goes, the more unsettling it gets for Washington fans.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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