McLaurin agrees to three-year extension with Commanders

Commanders fans can breathe a sigh of relief. The Terry McLaurin contract saga — with its hold-in, trade demand and car dealership press conference — ended Monday as the Pro Bowler agreed to a three-year extension worth up to $96 million. 

For months, Washington diehards had flocked to social media and open training camp practices with a simple demand: “Pay Terry.”

The Commanders did on Monday. 

McLaurin’s deal reportedly features a hefty $30 million signing bonus and performance-based incentives in the future. 

The signing won’t be official until Tuesday, but the Commanders teased the move with a photo of McLaurin on social media. 

“Let’s get to work,” former NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., a longtime Commanders fan, wrote on X. 

“Let’s get to it twin,” fellow Commanders receiver Deebo Samuel wrote on Instagram. 

Similar reactions followed from cornerback Mike Sainristil, safety Jeremy Reaves and linebacker Frankie Luvu, who posted a single, grinning, purple-horned emoji on social media.

“This is great news for Commander players, our organization and all Commander fans,” Earvin “Magic” Johnson, the NBA Hall of Famer and Commanders part-owner, wrote on X. “Terry is more than just a great football player, he is an outstanding leader and does tremendous things in the DMV community.”

McLaurin was reportedly looking to become one of the highest-paid receivers in the league, despite some concerns from outside analysts about his age. The two-time Pro Bowler turns 30 next month and receiver production often plummets after that point, with few exceptions. 

But the 2019 third-round pick has repeatedly said he plans to defy Father Time. McLaurin has highligted his injury-free career and lack of playing time in college as reasons he could continue to perform at a high level.

With an average annual value of about $32 million, McLaurin is now one of the six highest-paid receivers in the NFL. His extension matched an earlier deal signed by Philadelphia Eagles pass-catcher A.J. Brown. The NFC East cohorts trail only younger stars like Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings and Ja’Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals among receivers. 

McLaurin had skipped this offseason’s mandatory minicamp and training camp practices as he lobbied for a new deal. McLaurin was set to make approximately $25.5 million in the final year of his contract this season. 

After enduring years of inconsistent quarterback play, McLaurin blossomed into a star last season, his first with quarterback Jayden Daniels and coach Dan Quinn. 

He led the Commanders with 82 catches, 1,096 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns last year. When targeting McLaurin, Daniels boasted a fantastic 130.4 passer rating. Only the Detroit Lions duo of Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown had a more efficient connection last year, according to Pro Football Focus. 

“When you’ve proven who you are, you want that to be honored, you want that to be respected, you want that to be valued,” the Ohio State product said in July during a press conference at an Eastern Motors dealership in Maryland. “My value is so much more than a dollar amount … but I’d be remiss to not acknowledge that in our business, the dollar amount is attached to someone’s value.”

Earlier this month, McLaurin even requested a trade as negotiations failed to progress. 

Trade rumors and speculation dominated training camp, which McLaurin began on the “physically unable to perform” list with a lingering ankle injury. He made scattered appearances at practices, sometimes signing autographs for fans and occasionally watching teammates from the sidelines. 

Quinn eventually tired of the questions about McLaurin’s whereabouts during the training camp sessions and preseason exhibitions. The receiver didn’t travel with the team to New England for the first preseason game and missed the home opener against the Bengals. 

He watched Saturday’s finale against the Baltimore Ravens from the bench. 

“I’m not going to play ‘Where’s Waldo,’” an aggravated Quinn told reporters last week about McLaurin’s status. “He’s healthy, which is now a good step to getting closer to being back on the field. So, you’ll see that earlier than later. I don’t have a date circled on my whiteboard.”

After months of uncertainty, McLaurin’s return has a date. He’s expected to practice with his teammates on Wednesday. 

Despite missing Washington’s three preseason exhibitions, McLaurin is expected to suit up when the Commanders open the season against the New York Giants on Sept. 7.