The Washington Commanders have their franchise quarterback, after rookie Jayden Daniels led the team all the way to the NFC Championship in his rookie season, a playoff path that included a shocking win over the number one overall seeded Detroit Lions.
However, Washington is currently in the middle of a contractual standoff with one of Daniels’ most important receiving threats, star wideout Terry McLaurin. Now, one of NFL Network’s lead insiders is reporting on exactly what McLaurin is demanding from the franchise.
“My understanding is he wants to be in the 30s and judging by his stats 30s makes sense,” Ian Rapoport said. “The fact that Garrett Wilson on his first big deal got more than $32 million per year based on new money you’d think that would be good news for McLaurin.”
“We also know that he is pretty serious,” the insider added. “He was not there at mandatory minicamp, he spoke today to many, many local reporters … he is obviously not happy.”
Fans reacted to the news on social media.
“$30M a year for McLaurin isn’t just market rate anymore—it’s a bargain when you break down his production against top CBs. 71% catch rate vs press coverage last season while drawing double teams on 40% of routes. Commanders playing with fire if they let this drag into camp,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“I don’t think he’s worth paying 30Mil a year. I’d say he can bank on playing this year for 15mil can’t see paying him double when most of his routes he won on were go routes.. can’t see it ..he’s great but he’s not Chase, Jefferson,” someone else added.
“Deserved no doubt at all, he has been there through all of the rough parts of there Franchise. Hopefully he gets this deal, he doesn’t have to be top paid but at least top ten. I think the only problem comes with his age since he is almost 30,” another fan wrote.
It’ll be interesting to see which side blinks first.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.