The Terry McLaurin training camp holdout has begun. The Commanders’ star pass catcher did not report to the team’s practice facility Tuesday for the required physical and conditioning test at the start of training camp as he negotiates a new contract.
Commanders general manager Adam Peters said he expected to see McLaurin on Tuesday as the rest of the team’s veterans reported to training camp. The Pro Bowler previously claimed he wouldn’t step foot on the field without a new deal, though.
“We haven’t spoken about that,” Peters said about a potential holdout as McLaurin enters the final year of his contract. “But, just like with really all our players, we expect him to be here today.”
The head of Washington’s front office said he has been in contact with McLaurin’s agent as they work to finalize an extension that would keep the wide receiver in Washington for the foreseeable future.
McLaurin skipped the spring’s mandatory minicamps, shouldering fines as he hopes to sign a lucrative extension. The Ohio State product told reporters last week that he wanted to stay in Washington but was growing increasingly disgruntled with a lack of progress in negotiations.
“Everything that has transpired up to this point has been disappointing and frustrating. I want to continue my career here. I’ve created my life here. My wife and I bought our first home here,” he said last week. “So this has been somewhere I’ve always wanted to be. Just to see how things have played out has been disappointing.”
McLaurin, a favorite target for Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, turns 30 in September. Neither party has specified where talks have stalled, but it appears that Washington’s front office is reluctant to make McLaurin a top-of-market receiver as he enters the later stages of his career.
“Without a doubt, everybody in this building values him very, very much,” he said. “We’ve had conversations recently, and look to have some more conversations. We’re going to do everything we can in order to get a deal done.”
If he continues to skip training camp practices, McLaurin will be fined $50,000 for each missed day. A hold-in, where a player reports to the team facility but refuses to practice to avoid the mandatory fines, is also an option.
Washington’s star wide receiver hasn’t received a fresh contract, but a free-agent edge rusher has. The Commanders officially signed outside linebacker Von Miller on Monday, less than 24 hours before veterans reported to camp.
The 36-year-old agreed to a one-year deal worth $6.1 million. The contract could net Miller up to $10 million if he reaches certain performance incentives, according to multiple reports.
The Commanders needed an edge rusher after losing Dante Fowler, who led the team in sacks last season, in free agency. Miller fits the bill.
“Not only is he one of the best pass rushers of all time, but he’s equally incredible in the locker room,” Peters said of the former Super Bowl MVP. “We’re going to continue to bring guys like that in.”
Miller leads all active players with 129.5 career sacks. Now entering the twilight of his career, the former Defensive Rookie of the Year has become a situational player focused on obvious passing situations.
The eight-time Pro Bowler wasn’t a slam-dunk signing, though. His production waned significantly after signing a six-year, $120 million deal with the Buffalo Bills in 2022. He recorded just 14 sacks across three seasons in Buffalo, leading the team to release him this offseason.
His off-field reputation isn’t spotless, either.
The Texas A&M product was suspended for four games last season after he was accused of assaulting his pregnant girlfriend during the Bills’ bye week in 2023. Authorities initially arrested Miller but eventually dropped the charges against him.
An NFL investigation still found that he violated the league’s wide-reaching personal conduct policy, leading to the suspension.
Peters, who overlapped with Miller when he worked for the Denver Broncos, isn’t concerned.
“There’s always things where people make mistakes; we’re all human beings. You look at those, each situation, individually. Try to get the most information you can and make a decision based off that,” Peters said. “It’s not always what you read. It’s not always what you hear.”
Miller’s previous teams called the Commanders unprompted to shower praise on the former first-round pick. Those recommendations, combined with Peters’ previous interactions with Miller, were enough to seal the deal.
“You either are comfortable with it, or you’re not, and knowing the type of person he is, knowing the nature of situations. We felt really comfortable with that,” Washington’s second-year general manager said.
Miller’s signing was the latest win-now move for a franchise that unexpectedly reached the NFC championship game last season. They traded for former All-Pros Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel to provide extra protection and receiving options for Daniels, the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year.
The Commanders enter training camp with the oldest roster in the league. Players like Miller, 35-year-old linebacker Bobby Wagner and 34-year-old tight end Zach Ertz inflate that number.
“They’re still really, really good players and that goes the same for a guy like Von [Miller]. He’s older, but he’s still got a lot in the tank,” Peters said. “We’re going to look for great players that fit us, and whether they’re 22 or 35, if they can help us win, we’re going to bring them in.”
After physicals and conditioning tests on Tuesday, the Commanders will practice together to open training camp on Wednesday.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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