The wait is finally over. The Washington Commanders and wide receiver Terry McLaurin have officially reached a deal.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapport, McLaurin has agreed to a three-year, $96 million contract extension, keeping him in Washington through the 2028 NFL season.
The contract decision comes just days after Washington wrapped up their 2025 NFL preseason, hosting the Baltimore Ravens at Northwest Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 23. The Ravens traveled down I-95 to clinch their 30-3 victory in another year of The Battle of The Beltway.
McLaurin was in attendance for the first time this year, showing support to his teammates and giving fans a glimpse of hope for a major comeback to his longtime team.
“It was awesome to have him here today,” said Commanders head coach Dan Quinn.
On Aug. 16, the team announced they activated the All-Pro receiver from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, marking a key step in his return from an ankle injury looming from late last season.
“I’m so excited, I mean, shoot, I didn’t even know that,” said center Tyler Biadasz after he was removed from the PUP list.
McLaurin, who is entering the final year of a three-year, $68.4 million extension signed in 2022, had been pushing for a new deal that reflected his player production and the surging wide receiver market in the NFL. His current contract carries an annual value of $22.8 million.
The recent signings of a four-year, $130 million extension (with $90 million guaranteed) signed by New York Jets’ Garrett Wilson and fellow 2019 draftee DK Metcalf, who signed a five-year, $165 million deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, averaging $33 million annually, only makes the Commanders’ response more grueling.
McLaurin, who turns 30 next month, skipped spring practices and mandatory minicamp before staging his hold-in during the opening week of training camp. It was reported that he was fined $200,000 for his four-day absence from camp until finally reporting to camp on Sunday July. 27.
“What Terry means to this organization and this city, and what he’s done is his career that means a lot,” Biadasz said. “But also just what I’ve got to experience last year playing with him in regards of how he plays and what his play style is, you know and how he approaches his game and devotes his time to it. That’s super exciting to get back on the field right but super excited.”
Since entering the league in 2019, McLaurin has been one of the NFL’s most consistent and reliable receivers. The star receiver is coming off a standout season with 82 receptions, 1,096 yards, and a franchise-record 13 touchdowns. He was a driving force behind Washington’s dramatic turnaround from a 4-13 finish to an NFC Championship appearance.
With McLaurin set to return to practice this week, the team hopes to regain its synergy and keep the momentum pumping in preparation for their regular season opener against the New York Giants on Sept. 7.
“As a teammate they love him so that’s a big deal to get the guys back together,” said Quinn. “They loved him. They love Brandon [Coleman], and Marcus [Mariota] and like all these guys. This is a really tight and connected team and Terry is very much right in the middle of that as well so we’re taking good steps.”
