Terry McLaurin had a strong season during Jayden Daniels’ rookie year and heads into 2025 with high expectations. As things stand, this will be McLaurin’s final year under contract, but a new deal with the Commanders could be secured before then.
General manager Adam Peters stated on Monday (via JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington) that “positive” discussions have taken place regarding McLaurin’s future. He also emphasized his desire to keep the two-time Pro Bowler in Washington for the long haul, making an effort to finalize a third contract in the near future a likely scenario.
A standout from the loaded 2019 wide receiver draft class, McLaurin previously signed a three-year deal averaging $23.2 million per season. Since then, the receiver market has skyrocketed, with Ja’Marr Chase now setting the benchmark at $40.25 million per year. While McLaurin is unlikely to reach that level, his resume—including five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and a career-high 13 touchdowns in 2024—makes a strong case for a raise.
The Commanders entered the offseason seeking another veteran receiver and addressed that need by acquiring Deebo Samuel. There had been speculation that Washington might trade for Brandon Aiyuk—who was reportedly interested in reuniting with Daniels, his former college teammate. If that deal had materialized, McLaurin might have been a trade target for the 49ers in return.
Instead, McLaurin remains under contract with Washington, carrying a $25.5 million cap hit for 2025. An extension could lower that number while securing his long-term future with the team. It remains to be seen if McLaurin shares the team’s enthusiasm for working out a new deal.
Meanwhile, the outlook for Washington’s new left tackle is less certain. Laremy Tunsil arrived this offseason as part of the Texans’ broader efforts to reshape their roster. Houston’s decision to move on from the five-time Pro Bowler was largely financial, leading to questions about whether the Commanders would look to extend him. On that front, Peters confirmed that no contract talks have taken place yet (h/t Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post).
Tunsil has two years remaining on his deal, with a $21.35 million cap hit in both seasons. However, there is no guaranteed salary for the final year, making an extension a viable option before his contract expires. For now, though, other financial priorities seem to be taking precedence.
With Daniels still on his rookie contract, Washington has a prime opportunity to capitalize on last season’s surprising run to the NFC Championship Game. Both McLaurin and Tunsil are set to play major roles in 2025, but their long-term futures with the franchise could take different directions.
