Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

'Stand-Up Guy' McLaurin Also Commanders' New Biggest Question

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Apr 10, 2025 7:10 AM ET

The Washington Commanders have been big players in free agency in the past two offseasons with the rebuild under new general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn getting off to a hot start.

Last season, no less than 10 new players came walking through the doors to kickstart the new regime, but this offseason? The notable players are Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil, both acquired via trade.

That shows where the mindset is; they want to win now.

But for all of the contracts signed and money changing hands, the franchise has one big contract coming down the pipeline, and it's one that fans will think is a no-brainer to get done - Terry McLaurin.

Playing on the final year of his current deal, No. 17 deserves to get paid, and for NFL.com's Jeffri Chadiha, exactly how much the two-time Pro Bowler gets will be an interesting watch.

"McLaurin is entering the final year of a three-year deal he signed in 2022, and there are many reasons why he should be looking for a raise in his extension talks with Washington," Chadiha writes. "He also appears to be a stand-up guy who brings valuable leadership to a team that went from being a bottom-feeder to playing in the NFC Championship Game.

"The Commanders have cap space, and they've been spending plenty lately. McLaurin shouldn't be paid at the top of the market, given his age, but he certainly deserves a hefty bump from his current annual average salary of $23.2 million."

There's no argument that McLaurin deserves to be paid like a top receiver in football after five consecutive seasons of 1,000+ yards and last year, he had his best-ever return with Jayden Daniels for touchdowns (13).

So there is still plenty of juice in the tank and considering that McLaurin has been a constant source of production for Washington, even in the lean years, now that the team is finally on the path to being successful, he deserves to be a part of that.

We can't imagine Peters or Quinn letting McLaurin walk, and while it might not be this season, "Scary Terry" should be getting a new contract in Washington.

He has done everything for the franchise when it was on its knees, and now he's finally reaping the rewards of sticking true to the team that drafted him.

McLaurin should get a new deal; the question is how much the Commanders want to fork out.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: