Terry McLaurin’s contract standoff has become a ticking time bomb for the Washington Commanders, and Joe Theismann sees the fuse burning down. The former quarterback who delivered Washington’s first Super Bowl title recently issued an urgent warning about letting McLaurin walk away, calling it a “major problem” that could derail the franchise’s momentum.
“That would be a major problem for all of us that appreciate what the Commanders have done, what Terry has done,” Theismann said during his appearance on the Up & Adams Show. The gravity in his voice suggested this wasn’t typical contract analysis — it was an alarm bell from someone who understands championship-level football.
What made Theismann’s assessment particularly striking was his focus on elements that don’t appear on stat sheets.
“His intangibles and his value to this football team are even more outweighed than his talent, which we know is extreme,” he explained. This perspective separates his analysis from typical media commentary that fixates on yards and touchdowns.
The former quarterback’s urgency became even more apparent as he continued.
“He needs to be paid. He needs to be paid right away. We need to put this issue behind us as a football team. He is one of the leaders. And he’s a guy that you can always count on.” The repetition wasn’t accidental — it was emphasis born from genuine concern. Theismann’s emphasis on reliability revealed why McLaurin has become crucial to Washington’s identity.
“You can always count on him in practice, you can always count on him in a game,” he noted, describing the consistency that has made McLaurin a foundation piece through multiple regime changes. Then the conversation took a dramatic turn.
“To me, he sort of fits into that Jerry Rice category, where he’s not a burner, he doesn’t get all the publicity, he doesn’t get all the hype, but he’s as good as anybody that plays this game,” Theismann said.
Invoking Jerry Rice’s name isn’t something any former NFL player does lightly. By placing McLaurin in that category, Theismann was suggesting that the Commanders’ wide receiver possesses the rare combination of route-running, hands, toughness and leadership that separate good players from all-time greats. Theismann didn’t stop there.
“I would put him up against anybody that plays wide receiver in the National Football League. I don’t care who it is. I don’t care how fast you are, I don’t care how tough you think you are — he encompasses it all.” This wasn’t just hometown bias — it was the endorsement of a former NFL MVP and Super Bowl champion who’s seen what greatness looks like. His final plea captured why this situation feels different from a routine NFL business dispute.
“From my perspective, that’s a deal that must get done and must get done soon,” Theismann concluded, emphasizing the urgency that many fans feel but few express so directly.
For a franchise still trying to continue build credibility under new leadership, alienating the most consistent and respected player on the roster could have lasting consequences. McLaurin isn’t just another star receiver — he’s the glue that’s held this locker room together through dysfunction, rebuilds, and transition.
The Commanders have their quarterback of the future in Jayden Daniels. If they want him to succeed, keeping McLaurin in burgundy and gold has to be priority No. 1. Joe Theismann made that clear. The question is — are the Commanders listening?