Tensions are running high as Terry McLaurin's contract battle with the Washington Commanders continues. And make no mistake, everyone is feeling the strain.
Fans are becoming increasingly concerned. There is no middle ground being reached, and both sides are staying resolute with the clock ticking to Washington's regular-season opener against the New York Giants.
McLaurin is officially active off the physically unable to perform list, but there's been no sign of him at practice since. He was also absent from the Commanders' preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals, which saw the tide turn among sections of the fan base.
Terry McLaurin's side have turned Commanders contract chase into a PR disaster
Nicki Jhabvala from The Athletic's revelation about McLaurin wanting more than D.K. Metcalf in terms of average annual salary tipped the scales further. It makes no business sense from general manager Adam Peters' standpoint, and fans immediately turned their fury onto the player's representative, Buddy Baker.
Looking for top-four receiver money on a contract that doesn't begin until McLaurin is 31 years old is borderline delusion. Baker was looking to exploit the wrong guy if he thought the wideout would get that from Peters, and the whole thing is rapidly becoming a PR disaster.
Dan Quinn's frustrations were evident when speaking to the media on Wednesday. He doesn't want constant questions about McLaurin causing a distraction. The head coach drew a line under it, and there will be no more details until something becomes official. It's also the first time he's been anything close to confrontational with reporters since landing in Washington.
It's a sign of how tiresome this is becoming. And very few could blame Quinn for making his feelings abundantly clear.
Relationships are becoming strained. Peters won't be bowing to McLaurin's demands at this late stage. The agent needs to see this situation for what it is, even if he won't want to lose face and tarnish his reputation by backing down.
The next step for McLaurin is the most drastic of all. If nothing has been agreed upon, the former third-round pick out of Ohio State could sit out games. That involves giving up $850,000 per game to make a point. Not exactly the smartest move, especially considering his money is the biggest element of this exercise.
Trading McLaurin seems unlikely. This hasn't quite gone past the point of no return yet, but it's coming. Whether that'll be enough to dispose of such a cherished member of the franchise — both on and off the field — is another matter.
The endgame is almost upon the Commanders and McLaurin. It'll be fascinating to see what comes next.
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