Not much has gone sour for the Washington Commanders since Dan Quinn took over the head coaching role, but we are seeing something now.
The contract situation involving Terry McLaurin feels like one thing that can derail the feel-good story that the Commanders are currently playing out.
After holding out of OTAs and then mandatory minicamp, all eyes are on training camp to see if the Commanders and McLaurin can come to an agreement over a contract that we think will be in the ballpark of $30 million APY.
And for The Athletic's Mike Jones, it might just be a matter of when, not if, Terry signs that bumper new deal.
"The 29-year-old McLaurin has no years remaining on his contract following this season and thus is a candidate to hold out (or hold in) when the Commanders report for training camp," Jones wrote.
"McLaurin is one of the most productive wide receivers in the game, recording five straight 1,000-yard campaigns and at least 900 receiving yards in each of his six pro seasons. He’s unlikely to land a deal to rival that of Ja’Marr Chase (four years, $161 million, average of $40.25 million). But a deal that tops Tee Higgins’ terms (four years, $115 million, and $28 million average) does seem realistic. It’s just a matter of when the Commanders get the deal done."
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) warms up before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) warms up before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.
It wouldn't make much sense for the Commanders not to pay Terry when the franchise is clearly in win-now mode with the trades for Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil.
No, McLaurin, no deep playoff run? Given the lack of weapons behind Samuel, that might be a fair assumption, which again, makes this little contract standoff odd. Still, we don't see a world where Washington and Terry don't come to an agreement simply because it wouldn't make sense not to.
He's a staple of the franchise, clearly the best offensive weapon at Kliff Kingsbury's disposal, and the longer this saga goes, the more nervously fans shift in their seats.
But a deal will eventually get done...right?