There has been a reset in the wide receiver market this offseason and some of those entering the final year of their contract are looking for a big payday before the start of the season.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Monday that 49ers' Deebo Samuel, Titans' A.J. Brown and Commanders' Terry McLaurin all plan to skip any on-field work during their respective teams' offseason programs. McLaurin still plans to report to Washington's facilities, according to Schefter.
Both the Titans and Commanders began their voluntary offseason programs on Monday while the Niners begin theirs on Tuesday. Because this section of the offseason is not mandatory, they will not be subject to fines.
McLaurin, 26, posted his second straight 1,000-yard season in Washington last year, finishing with 1,053 yards and five touchdowns on 77 receptions.
Commanders head coach Ron Rivera recently preached "patience" with regards to McLaurin negotiations, though as of April 8, the organization had yet to make their top wideout a contract offer.
Rivera has said, even if teams reach out about potential trade offers for McLaurin, the Commanders "wouldn't entertain it."
The Athletic's Ben Standig reported earlier this month that both sides anticipate intensified extension talks for McLaurin starting around or after the NFL Draft (April 28-30) while pointing towards a July resolution. There is recent precedent for this timeline. Just last summer, Washington reached an extension agreement with top defensive tackle Jonathan Allen only minutes before training camp began in late July.
Although their discussions have not materialized into a formal offer, the Commanders met with McLaurin's agent at the NFL Combine in March and have continued to have an ongoing dialogue.
Neither of the three receivers were first-round picks, meaning that their respective teams could not exercise a fifth-year option for 2022.
The wide receiver market has exploded this offseason, with Buffalo Bills star Stefon Diggs most recently securing a four-year, $104 million extension.
Davante Adams signed a record-setting deal with the Las Vegas Raiders last month for five years, $142.5 million with $67.5 million guaranteed.
Tyreek Hill also signed a four-year, $120 million deal after being traded to the Miami Dolphins with $72.2 million guaranteed.
All three contracts are worth more than $28 million annually.
The 49ers’ Samuel has made his feelings clear about a new deal after scrubbing references of the team on his Instagram account.
The 26-year-old had a breakout season, finishing fifth with 1,405 receiving yards and caught six touchdowns while also rushing for eight touchdowns, the latter an NFL single-season record for a receiver.
He recently revealed he has received death threats and racist messages from fans since expressing his desire for a new deal.
Brown, 24, posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with the Titans but injuries held him to just 13 games last year in which he finished with 63 catches for 869 yards and five touchdowns.
Based on recent demand, the three receivers could yield anywhere between $20 million and $27 million per season on extensions. McLaurin is currently set to earn $3.04 million in the final year of his rookie deal in 2022.
All three receivers were picked after the first round in 2019 draft class, with Samuel (36th overall) and Brown (51st) both second-rounders and McLaurin (76th) a third-round pick.
