The Washington Commanders are coming off an exciting season that saw them reach the playoffs. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels delivered a standout performance in his first campaign, earning NFL Rookie of the Year honors. This season, the supporting cast around him looks even more promising—particularly the wide receiver room.
However, there could be another young addition if the Commanders pursue a trade.
“Washington might have to pay a bit of a premium to snag Pitts from a potential playoff rival. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury could have a lot of fun scheming up mismatches with Pitts, Sinnott, Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel in the passing game,” Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox wrote.
At the same time, a major issue is brewing within the organization concerning one of its cornerstone players: Terry McLaurin, who is entering the final year of his contract.
“McLaurin is entering the final year of a three-year, $71 million extension he signed in June 2022. He is coming off a season where he caught 82 passes for 1,006 yards and a career-high 13 touchdowns. McLaurin also caught three touchdowns in the NFC playoffs,” Commanders Wire’s Bryan Manning wrote.
The former Ohio State standout is seeking a contract extension, but there has been little to no progress in negotiations. This has led to growing frustration, prompting McLaurin to abruptly leave voluntary minicamp. The situation stems from the team’s ongoing, but stalled, efforts to finalize a deal.
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“All-Pro WR Terry McLaurin has made it clear to the team that he’s frustrated with the lack of progress on a long-term deal. As I previously reported, McLaurin unexpectedly left voluntary workouts after initially attending, and it remains to be seen whether he’ll report for mandatory minicamp,” NFL Insider Jordan Schultz wrote.
It remains unclear how the situation between McLaurin and the Commanders will play out, but the outlook is not encouraging. McLaurin is a vital part of the offense, and Washington should make every effort to ensure he remains on the roster.