The Washington Commanders have announced that the team activated star wide receiver Terry McLaurin from the Active/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, a move that could potentially signal his return to practice and adds a new layer of intrigue to his ongoing contract negotiations.
McLaurin had been placed on the PUP list at the start of training camp, a designation for players with football-related injuries who are unable to participate in practices. While the move was technical, it was widely seen as a way to allow the team and McLaurin’s agent to continue negotiating a long-term contract extension without the added pressure of a potential “holdout.”
By activating McLaurin, who turns 30 next month, the Commanders have now cleared him to practice and compete with the team. While this is a step in the right direction for the franchise and their star player, it also introduces a key dynamic into the contract dispute. Yesterday, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said, “Some guys are taking advantage of the opportunities and some guys are not. The competition has been good, but there’s a lot to show over the next 3 weeks.” regarding McLaurin and the injured Noah Brown not practicing.
McLaurin is currently in the final year of a three-year, $69.6 million extension he signed in 2022. Reports suggest that he has been seeking a new deal with an average annual value in excess of $30 million, a figure that would put him in the top tier of NFL wide receivers, on par with players like DK Metcalf. The Commanders, however, have reportedly been unwilling to meet that price, with some sources indicating they are more comfortable in the $28 million (or lower) range.
The team has a few options if a deal is not reached. They can either allow McLaurin to play out the season on his current contract or, if they wish to retain his rights after this year, they could use the franchise tag in the 2026 season, which would cost them a projected $28.1 million in his age 31 season.
