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Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin is seeking a contract extension this summer that would make him one of the highest-paid NFL players at his position. Amid a worsening and increasingly public contract dispute between the two sides, some have wondered if McLaurin could demand a trade.
Appearing on Saturday’s SportsCenter, ESPN NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler said that the Commanders “are not trading McLaurin” and have made it clear to everyone around the league that it won’t even be considered. However, the two sides also aren’t close to an extension, and McLaurin remains unhappy with the negotiations.
“Terry McLaurin, so he’s frustrated. You heard him this week talking about how there’s no deal, he would like progress being made, there hasn’t been. I’m told that’s only scratching the surface of the issue here, because the 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 taken a pay decrease because he’s a year from free agency. So, something’s gonna have to give here, cooler head should prevail. They want McLaurin there. They’re not trading McLaurin. That was made clear to me from a source of the team.”
ESPN NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler on the situation with Washington Commanders WR Terry McLaurin
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During a recent live stream, Bleacher Report‘s NFL insider James Palmer said there is a real chance of McLaurin sitting out of training camp. While he would show up for meetings to avoid being fined, the Pro Bowl wideout could exercise a hold-in by simply not participating in practice.
The New York Jets just signed Garrett Wilson to a multi-year extension worth $32.5 million per season. With the deal in place, there are now nine wide receivers signed to contracts worth at least $30 million annually. McLaurin believes he belongs in that range, especially coming off a standout season with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
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Recent reporting has indicated, however, that the two sides haven’t made any progress in contract negotiations in over a month. Veterans report for Commanders training camp on July 22, and it seems likely that McLaurin won’t be on the field.
The expectation around the league remains that Washington will work things out with its 29-year-old wide receiver, especially since he is in a contract year. For now, though, the Commanders’ offense will presumably be without its top offensive weapon on the practice field.
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