The Washington Commanders were one of the most pleasant surprises in the NFL this past season, winning 12 games and advancing all the way to the NFC Championship Game.
A big reason for the Commanders’ success was an explosive offense led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and his favorite target, wide receiver Terry McLaurin.
McLaurin has quietly established himself as one of the best wide receivers in football and is coming off of a 2024 campaign in which he hauled in 82 receptions for 1,096 yards and 13 touchdowns en route to his second Pro Bowl appearance.
It marked McLaurin’s fifth straight 1,000-yard season, and he has been one of the most consistent pass-catchers in football throughout that span.
However, the 29-year-old has just one year left on his deal, and Dean Jones of Riggo’s Rag feels that Washington may need to act fast due to the rising wide receiver market.
“The former third-round pick remains a key part of the team’s plans and a foundational piece to build around,” Jones wrote. “He’s a locker-room alpha and a high-level performer on the field. It’s the sort of influence that second-year general manager Adam Peters should be looking to reward. And he would be wise to act quickly. After all, the price is only going up.”
Jones’ piece comes on the heels of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins each landing massive deals with the Cincinnati Bengals, the former of which is now earning $40.25 million annually, a wide receiver record. Meanwhile, Higgins—who is an inferior player to McLaurin—will make $28.8 million on his new pact.
Now, to be fair, McLaurin is a few years older than both Bengals stars, so it’s not an exact parallel. But there is no doubt that the Ohio State product may be seeking to bag $30 million per year on his next contract. Whether or not Washington would be willing to go there for a player who turns 30 years old next September remains to be seen.
One thing is for sure, though: McLaurin is far and away Daniels’ most reliable weapon, and it would definitely serve the Commanders well to keep him happy.
Make sure to come back for more analysis on everything sports at ViralSportsNews.net. Also, give us a follow on NewsBreak.
