After staying away for the first four days of Washington Commanders training camp, star wide receiver Terry McLaurin reported to the team facility on Sunday morning. His arrival ended a brief holdout tied to his push for a new contract extension — but it came with a twist: McLaurin was immediately placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list because of a lingering ankle injury.
Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed that McLaurin will not be practicing with the team right away.
“While on PUP, it’s just like we do with other guys — he’ll work with the trainers to get back as soon as possible,” Quinn said. “It was great to meet with him last night. I’m really pumped that he’s here.”
McLaurin, who turns 30 in September, missed the opening stretch of camp — July 23 through July 26 — in protest of stalled contract talks. Under the league’s new collective bargaining agreement, holdouts are costly: McLaurin was fined $50,000 per day, racking up $200,000 in fines before his return.
The Commanders opened camp with heavy fan anticipation, and Sunday’s practice was the first open to the public. Instead of lining up with his teammates, McLaurin spent the session off to the side with trainers, slowly working back from the same ankle issue that hampered him late last season.
The Business Side: McLaurin’s Push for a New Deal
McLaurin is entering the final year of the three‑year, $68.2 million extension he signed back in July 2022. That deal has been considered a bargain in hindsight given how the receiver market has exploded since then. He is set to make $15.4 million in base salary in 2025, but only $2.5 million of that is guaranteed.
General manager Adam Peters, speaking on the first day of camp, acknowledged the ongoing negotiations:
“On the business side, we’re still working hard with Terry and his reps. You’d like to get these things done quicker, but it doesn’t always happen that way. Whatever happens along the way, just understand he’s a great player, a great person, and we want to keep him here.”
McLaurin has not specified his desired numbers, but he did hint at his expectations:
“With how the market is today, it conveys what guys of my caliber are deserving of,” he said last week.
Recent deals set a high bar for top wideouts:
- Tee Higgins (Bengals): 4 years, $115M ($40.9M guaranteed)
- DK Metcalf (Steelers): 4 years, $132M ($60M guaranteed)
- Garrett Wilson (Jets): 4 years, $130M ($90M guaranteed)
Age might be a sticking point. At 30, some teams hesitate to commit massive guarantees, but McLaurin points to others bucking that trend — Tyreek Hill’s three‑year, $90M extension and Mike Evans’s two‑year, $41M deal both came after their 30th birthdays.
“I’ve only been in the league seven years, and I didn’t play much early at Ohio State,” McLaurin said. “I’d like them to look at me on a case‑by‑case basis.”
McLaurin’s On‑Field Production
Since entering the league as a third‑round pick (No. 76 overall) in 2019, McLaurin has been the heartbeat of Washington’s passing game through multiple coaching changes and quarterback shuffles.
- Five straight 1,000-yard seasons (2019–2023)
- Career-high 13 touchdown receptions in 2024 (second-most in the NFL)
- Career totals (through 2024): 550 receptions, 7,925 yards, 45 TDs
- Four 100-yard games in 2024, including a 10-catch, 146-yard effort vs. Dallas
Despite the team’s struggles, McLaurin has been a model of consistency and professionalism. He’s widely regarded as one of the best route runners in the league, combining elite body control with reliable hands. His teammates recognized his leadership by voting him as a postseason captain last year.
Looking Ahead
For now, McLaurin’s status is uncertain. His presence in camp might be viewed as a sign of good faith in negotiations, but his refusal to practice until there is progress suggests the standoff isn’t over. The PUP designation also adds a physical wrinkle: it remains unclear when he’ll be healthy enough to participate.
The Commanders and their fan base hope this story ends with a new contract that keeps McLaurin in burgundy and gold for years to come. As Peters put it:
“Without a doubt, everybody in this building values Terry very much.”
Until then, McLaurin’s situation will remain one of the defining storylines of Washington’s 2025 offseason