Terry McLaurin has been one of the league’s most consistent wideouts and one of its most underpaid. With training camp closing in, tensions are rising in Washington as the Commanders still haven’t locked him in long-term. Now, a former NFL head coach is warning the franchise not to let things spiral.
Former HC Eric Mangini Urges Commanders to Extend Terry McLaurin to Avoid Bengals-Like Drama
On the latest episode of “Breakfast Ball,” Eric Mangini didn’t hold back. The former Jets and Browns head coach sent a clear message to Washington’s front office: handle McLaurin’s deal now or risk derailing the season before it starts.
“They’ve got a young quarterback, they’ve got an opportunity to do something with his contract right now because of what they’re paying the young quarterback,” Mangini said. “But you don’t want this to be a Cincinnati Bengals-type situation, where you wait, you wait, you wait, you get something done late, and then you’ve got a slow start.”
McLaurin is coming off his fifth straight 1,000-yard season. He posted 82 catches for 1,096 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2024, all while working with a rookie quarterback. Those 13 touchdowns tied for the second-most among all NFL receivers. The numbers don’t lie, and he clearly earned a new deal. The question is, when will Washington step up?
What Does McLaurin’s Current Contract Look Like?
Right now, he’s on the books for a base salary of $15.5 million in 2025. That’s miles behind the current wide receiver market, which stretches beyond $30 million annually. McLaurin’s current deal runs through 2025 with a cap hit of $25.5 million, but a new extension could actually lower his future cap hit, giving the team more financial flexibility while Jayden Daniels is still on his rookie contract.
The standoff began in May, and the signs haven’t been encouraging. McLaurin skipped OTAs and mandatory minicamp, and according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, he’s “not happy” with the lack of progress on a deal. With camp starting later this month, Washington is on the clock.
There’s a genuine concern this could stretch into a full-blown holdout, especially since this might be McLaurin’s final shot at a big payday. He turns 30 on Sept. 15 and has made it clear he wants to be compensated accordingly. Since entering the league in 2019, McLaurin has only missed three games due to injury and has averaged 65.8 receiving yards per game over his career.
Why the Commanders Can’t Afford to Wait
The Commanders know what he means to its offense. He’s been a go-to target for nearly 100 games and is only improving. His 2024 season was particularly valuable as he helped guide rookie quarterback Daniels through his first NFL campaign. McLaurin’s consistency has been remarkable: he’s posted at least 55 receptions and 900 receiving yards in his six seasons.
Washington has already made moves to bolster their receiving corps, but letting McLaurin’s frustration fester would undermine everything they’ve built. The team finished 12-5 in 2024 and made its first NFC Championship appearance since the 1991-92 season, largely thanks to the connection between Daniels and McLaurin.
Head coach Dan Quinn has tried to downplay the issue, but a distraction this big can’t be brushed off for long. If the team wants to hit the ground running in 2025, they’ll need No. 17 on the field and properly paid before July ends.
