Zach Ertz and Terry McLaurin Brooke Sutton/GettyImages

Zach Ertz is Commanders’ calm voice in Terry McLaurin contract chaos

Originally posted on Riggo's Rag | By Dean Jones | Last updated Jul 17, 2025 1:30 PM ET

Terry McLaurin and the Washington Commanders are reportedly far apart regarding a new contract extension. The almost dejected wide receiver revealed that no talks have happened for over a month, which set some realistic panic across the fan base with a few days remaining until training camp.

All signs point to McLaurin getting paid at some stage. It might be proving more complicated than initially projected, but something will get worked out in the end.

It always does. And when that time comes, one of McLaurin's veteran teammates knows the second-team All-Pro will be ready to hit the ground running.

Zach Ertz knows Commanders will get Terry McLaurin's best once contract saga concludes

Zach Ertz was reluctant to speak on the business aspect of McLaurin's standoff during his latest appearance on the Up and Adams Show. The tight end is rooting for the wideout to get as much money as he deserves, but he also alleviated the fears of fans by stating that time was still on everyone's side.

I'm not privy to the conversations, but there's a lot of time to get something done. Everyone knows Terry [McLaurin] is working his butt off, whether he's in the building or not in the building. For me, as a player who's gone through contract situations, I'm not going to come out and say one thing or the other. But what I do know is Terry is going to do everything he can to be at his best when his best is needed. I'm rooting for Terry. I hope he gets paid as much as he wants to get paid, but in terms of the business side of it, I'm going to stay far away from that.Zach Ertz via Up and Adams

"I hope he gets paid as much as he wants to get paid"

Commanders TE @ZERTZ_86 on Terry McLaurin’s contract situation @heykayadams | @TheTerry_25 #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/YjTlCTDAS0
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) July 16, 2025

Ertz couldn't have said it any better.

What sets McLaurin apart from most is his exceptional work ethic. Teammates won't be worrying about him coming back into the fold out of shape. He's professional enough to keep grinding while his representatives try to find some middle ground with the Commanders. And he'll be relishing the chance to get back onto the practice field at the earliest possible opportunity.

There isn't an ounce of wide receiver diva in McLaurin. He's the hardest worker and an undisputed alpha in the locker room. He sets the tone for others to follow. That doesn't stop just because he's not participating in team activities right now.

Fans might be looking at the saga with raised pessimism, but Ertz and his teammates aren't. They know how these things can take time. They also know that McLaurin's importance to the Commanders dictates one outcome and one outcome only.

That should be enough to calm the waters, for now. But it remains a potential powder keg waiting to go off at any moment.