As of Wednesday morning, the Washington Commanders and Terry McLaurin remained in a contract standoff. The 29-year-old broad receiver, within the final year of his present deal, requested a commerce on July 31.
Crew reporter John Keim of ESPN shared “why the 2 sides stay to date aside” relating to a attainable settlement.
“[Age] doubtless stays the largest sticking level as a result of it frames the argument for Washington,” Keim defined. “McLaurin will flip 30 on Sept. 15, which implies he’d be 31 when an extension begins. The Commanders rely closely on analytics, and the numbers aren’t form to receivers at that age. In accordance with ESPN Analysis, over the previous 5 seasons, solely three receivers 31 years or older have performed a minimum of 10 video games and averaged 70-plus receiving yards per recreation; six have averaged 60-plus.”
Previous reports indicated that McLaurin desires “elements” of the five-year, $150M deal that the Pittsburgh Steelers gave DK Metcalf in March after the Steelers acquired him from the Seattle Seahawks. To match, Metcalf will flip 28 on Dec. 14.
“One league supply stated he might see the Commanders ultimately agreeing to pay $28M per 12 months,” Keim famous. “…In accordance with varied studies and a number of sources, DK Metcalf’s contract has served as a information for McLaurin — although whether or not that is by way of common per 12 months ($33M) or whole ensures ($60M) stays unsure.”
Keim added that “a number of staff sources” have insisted that the Commanders, coming off a visit to this 12 months’s NFC Championship Sport, will not commerce McLaurin for a future draft asset this summer season.
Whereas taking part in with quarterback and reigning Offensive Rookie of the 12 months Jayden Daniels, McLaurin notched staff highs of 82 receptions and 1,096 receiving yards final season. Solely Cincinnati Bengals celebrity Ja’Marr Chase recorded extra landing catches (17) than McLaurin (13) through the 2024 marketing campaign.
“[Daniels] averaged 13.4 air yards per try and McLaurin, and 6 of his 12 passes that gained 30 yards or extra went to the wideout,” Keim identified. “Daniels posted a 90.6 quarterback ranking (on the 100 scale) when concentrating on McLaurin.”
On Wednesday, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Commanders sixth among the many betting favorites (tied with the San Francisco 49ers and Inexperienced Bay Packers) at +2000 odds to win Tremendous Bowl LX this coming February.
The truth that Washington would not be capable to discover a direct substitute for McLaurin earlier than 2026 will doubtless give him tens of millions of causes to take the sphere towards the New York Giants in Week 1 on Sept. 7.
