Terry McLaurin has 100 million reasons for skipping the Washington Commander mandatory minicamp.
The Commanders most popular player wants to be paid among the game’s elite when his rookie contract expires in 2023. That’s probably $24 million annually over five years with $80 million-plus guaranteed.
Washington values McLaurin, but not at that price. After all, McLaurin has been the best player on a mediocre team, but not the best receiver in the NFL. When Cooper Kupp recently signed for $110 million over five years with $75 million guaranteed, it’s with the defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams so there’s extra money off that.
The two sides have been talking cause talk is cheap. But nobody’s really budging because the Commanders control McLaurin for the next three seasons via a final year of a deal plus two franchise tags if needed. See Scherff, Brandon.
McLaurin’s not budging cause time is on his side. With every marquee receiver signing for more and more, the price only rises. And, he can just take the $16 million under the tag, which probably grows some next season, and eventually hit the open market in 2023 at age 29 for a big score.
Now, McLaurin may not want to leave Washington, but in the end it’s always about the money. Players will leave over a small percentage increase. There is no hometown discount, especially if the team invokes the franchise tag that is viewed as a slap in the face despite its hefty price.
Washington can’t afford not to sign its most popular player after losing Trent Williams, Kirk Cousins and Scherff in recent years. One-time high-spending owner Dan Snyder has become a penny pincher, especially with homegrown talent. That’s the opposite of what good organizations do. Losing McLaurin might be the backbreaker for some fans.
It’s not like Washington is stacked at receiver. Oh, it has some potential top talent in Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson, but Samuel is suspect after losing much of last season to injuries and Dotson is a rookie. Without McLaurin, new quarterback Carson Wentz loses his biggest threat. Teams can sit on Samuel and Dotson if McLaurin’s not playing, especially while tight end Logan Thomas is still recovering from major knee injuries.
For now, coach Ron Rivera is saying the right things. That the team believes in McLaurin, that the receiver is a professional and will be ready for training camp.
Rivera said the two sides aren’t far apart, but there’s no such thing as close. A deal is either done or it’s not. This isn’t over final perks like a better parking space or more vacation time. It’s money and each side doesn’t want to lose a single dollar.
Surely, McLaurin will report to training camp. But, whether he’ll arrive with a new contract is iffy. And, that makes Commanders fans very anxious.