Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin may not be practicing in training camp due to being on the PUP list, but he’s in the building and present for as many things as he can be. His current contract will expire in February, making him a free agent in March.

Neither McLaurin nor the Commanders want to part ways, though, and both sides are working to come to an agreement. The biggest hangup right now is that McLaurin is asking for upwards of $30 million per year, which is steep considering his age. However, he has remained incredibly loyal to the organization over the years, and he’s had five consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons despite instability at quarterback.

Advertisement

Advertisement

While fans are divided about how the Commanders should handle this, former Commanders quarterback Robert Griffin III thinks McLaurin should get paid.

He’s not alone, either. Louis Riddick and Santana Moss are also in agreement that McLaurin should get paid.

Not that anyone who pays attention needs to see this, but Pro Football Focus shared a stat on McLaurin in contested situations in 2024.

And if that’s not enough to convince you, McLaurin is still all-in for the fans in Washington, making it clear he wants their support and wants to stay where he is. He’s been spending roughly 30 minutes post-practice signing autographs and engaging with fans.

However, the McLaurin saga took a turn on Thursday evening when he formally requested a trade. This is a negotiating tactic. McLaurin doesn’t want to leave Washington, and the Commanders do not want to trade him.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Maybe McLaurin doesn’t get DK Metcalf money, but maybe he should. And if former players and analysts think he should be paid, what’s the holdup? Adam Peters needs to structure McLaurin’s contract so that it is favorable for both sides, which may involve incentivizing key aspects of the contract. But if McLaurin produces, those incentives can add up to get him where he needs to be.

It’s not a cut-and-dry process for multiple reasons. But the first preseason game is next Friday in Foxboro, Massachusetts, against the New England Patriots. Wouldn’t it be nice if this contract nonsense were out of the way by then?

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: NFL analysts, former players agree: Commanders need to pay McLaurin