As Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin approaches the final year of his contract, general manager Adam Peters expressed a strong commitment to resolving ongoing contract negotiations. Speaking on Tuesday, as veterans returned to training camp, Peters said the team will “do whatever we can” to come to terms with McLaurin. The negotiations come amid speculation that McLaurin might hold out if a new agreement is not reached soon.
Frustration Grows Amid Stalled Negotiations and Uncertainty About McLaurin’s Participation
McLaurin has voiced his frustration publicly, noting that the Commanders and his representatives have not engaged in contract talks for over a month. Although he said he isn’t currently looking to leave Washington, sources reported by Fox Sports’ Henry McKenna revealed that McLaurin is prepared to “explore every option” if no deal materializes. These alternatives include a trade request or various types of holdouts during training camp, which could impact both his playing time and financial penalties.
McLaurin’s Ongoing Contributions Amid an Optimistic Team Outlook
Despite the contract stalemate overshadowing the offseason, the Commanders enter this year with renewed optimism. The team reached the NFC Championship Game last season for the first time since their Super Bowl win in January 1992. New additions to the offense, such as Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil, complement rising talent Jayden Daniels, who showed promise during his rookie season. McLaurin, 29, remains a crucial part of the offense, having posted five consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons and a personal best of 13 touchdowns last year, making him the primary target for every quarterback he’s played alongside in Washington.
Outlook for the Contract Talks and Team Dynamics
Peters remains hopeful McLaurin will report to training camp as expected, but is prepared for a potential holdout without losing sight of reaching an agreement. The outcome of these talks will likely influence both the team’s preparation and their offensive strategy moving forward. Resolving McLaurin’s contract situation is critical for maintaining stability as the Commanders aim to build on their recent success and contend in the upcoming season.
“We will do whatever we can to figure things out with McLaurin.” —Adam Peters, Washington Commanders GM
“He will explore every option if it comes to that.” —Henry McKenna, Fox Sports
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why does Terry McLaurin wear 17?
A. Terry McLaurin, a receiver, chose the number 17 because 83, his college number at Ohio State, was unavailable. Brian Quick already had 83. McLaurin had a choice between 80 or 17 and went with 17.
Q. Why is Terry McLaurin called F1?
A. McLaurin liked being called “F1” because it related to both his speed and the car maker McLaren. He was also okay with not having a nickname. However, the nickname “Scary Terry” became popular. When he scored two touchdowns against the Giants, his celebrations were inspired by this nickname.
Q. Is Terry McLaurin a good player?
A. In 2024, McLaurin caught 82 passes, totalling 1,096 yards, and scored a career-high 13 touchdowns. This led to his second Pro Bowl appearance and first all-pro (second team) honor. According to TruMedia, he was fourth among receivers in expected points added, contributing 61 EPA, which is similar to two extra wins.