The financial windfall for elite wide receivers continues to unfold. The Washington Commanders struck a three-year, $71 million contract extension with wide receiver Terry McLaurin that includes $53 million guaranteed, according to league sources. The contract was negotiated by agents Buddy Baker and Tony Bonagura of Exclusive Sports along with Commanders executive Rob Rogers.
Terry McLaurin, Commanders agree to three-year extension
Per a source, 76% of McLaurin’s deal is guaranteed at signing, including a $28 million signing bonus that’s the highest signing bonus for a wide receiver, above Arizona Cardinals All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins’ $27.5 million signing bonus.
McLaurin is one of the top young wide receivers in the NFL. The Commanders standout skipped minicamp after previously choosing to not attend voluntary organized team activities.
Heading into the final year of his rookie contract, McLaurin was originally due a $2.79 million base salary. Now, he’s netted a huge payday.
McLaurin did everything the Commanders could have hoped for. Head coach Ron Rivera told reporters at minicamp he understands what the former Ohio State standout is doing and expressed confidence that something would ultimately be worked out.
Now, it has.
“We intend to do this because we believe in who Terry is for us and what he can bring to the table,” Rivera said during the minicamp. “When a player makes the impact he’s made, and not just on the football team, you have to take care of that guy so everyone can understand this is the kind of guy you want. Everything we’re doing, we’re trying to get this thing done.”
And Rivera emphasized McLaurin wasn’t going anywhere, saying: “We’re not trading Terry.”
McLaurin had 1,053 yards and five touchdowns last season on 77 receptions. He’s incredibly valuable to an offense that’s hoping to revive the career of quarterback Carson Wentz. The former Ohio State star has 222 catches for 3,090 yards and 16 touchdowns in 46 regular-season games.
This is an extremely positive development for the NFC East franchise. They’ve rewarded one of their top young players and established that they will take care of their homegrown players when they’ve earned a new deal.
This is regarded as a true win-win. The Commanders avoided drama with McLaurin and have taken care of business.
What’s next in the wide receiver market?
Following a year where the Las Vegas Raiders paid wide receiver Davante Adams ($140 million total, $28 million annually), the Miami Dolphins paid Tyreek Hill ($120 million total, $30 million annually), the Philadelphia Eagles paid A.J. Brown ($100 million total, $25 million annually) and the Los Angeles Rams extended Cooper Kupp ($80 million total, $22 million annually), more blockbuster deals expected to happen.
There is optimism surrounding a potentially huge deal for San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver Deebo Samuel, league sources told Pro Football Network. There is also a widely held expectation in league circles that the Seattle Seahawks will ultimately reward DK Metcalf with a new contract that will make him one of the highest-paid players in the game, per league sources.