The Washington Commanders have locked up their premier offensive weapon, reaching an agreement on a three-year contract extension with star wide receiver Terry McLaurin. According to a report by The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the deal is worth over $96 million, effectively making McLaurin one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL.
The new deal ends a long negotiation that had been a central storyline for the Commanders throughout the offseason and into training camp. McLaurin, who was entering the final year of his previous three-year, $69.6 million extension, had been seeking a deal that would place him among the league’s elite pass-catchers. His reported desire for an average annual value (AAV) comparable to that of DK Metcalf, who signed a deal worth approximately $33 million per year, had been a major point of discussion.
While the exact breakdown of the $96 million is still to be released, the average annual value of over $32 million places McLaurin squarely in the upper echelon of the wide receiver market. This new contract is a significant vote of confidence from the Commanders’ new front office, led by general manager Adam Peters, and signals their commitment to building around their young core.
McLaurin, 29, has been a model of consistency and production since being drafted by Washington in 2019. Despite a revolving door of quarterbacks, he has recorded five consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards, including a career-high 13 touchdowns in the 2024 season. His leadership and on-field performance have made him a fan favorite and a team captain.
For the Commanders, getting this deal done before the start of the regular season was a priority. The prolonged talks and McLaurin’s reported “hold-in” had been a point of concern, creating an unnecessary distraction for a team with high expectations for the 2025 season. With this agreement, the Commanders can now move forward with their offense fully intact, with McLaurin ready to build chemistry with his young quarterback.
