McLaurin returns: Commanders celebrate agreement and his return to the field

Terry McLaurin Returns to Training Camp with the Commanders After Contract Extension

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin showed that his return to training camp was like “riding a bike.” After agreeing to a three-year contract extension, McLaurin rejoined the team and participated in practices with enthusiasm. McLaurin’s contract extension ended his “hold-in” and resolved the last details for the Commanders before the start of the season on September 7 against the New York Giants.

I know I have a lot of elite football ahead of me.
Terry McLaurin

During practice, McLaurin wore his uniform and helmet, instead of the hoodie he had worn before. He participated in team drills for an hour. He hadn’t been on the field with the team since the second phase of spring training, after missing the last two weeks and the mandatory minicamp.

The way it ended was better than how it started. That’s what it’s about. There’s a current agreement that keeps me here and I’m extremely happy.
Terry McLaurin

The return of McLaurin is great news for coach Dan Quinn, as he was the team’s star receiver in 2024, with 82 receptions, a personal record of 13 touchdowns and 1,096 yards, marking his fifth consecutive season with more than 1,000 yards.

I love coaching him. He’s an exceptional competitor.
Dan Quinn

McLaurin’s contract extension includes $44.65 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $30 million. If he fulfills the contract, he will earn $87 million, with an additional $9 million available through incentives. However, if the Commanders cut McLaurin after the 2026 season, they would save $16 million, although the team would have $18 million in “dead cap”. McLaurin expressed his happiness with the agreement, although it did not reach the initial rumored price of $33 million per year with greater guarantees.

You start one way and hope it ends the way it ended. It gives me the ability to stay in a place I love, but also to keep achieving things that allow me to play at a high level and prove that I’m worth what I sign for.
Terry McLaurin

The summer was full of ups and downs for McLaurin. He expressed his frustration during a 30-minute interview on July 15. He was absent for the first four days of camp, with fines of $50,000 per day. Then he showed up, but was placed on the physically unable to play list due to an ankle injury. He was removed from the list on August 16.

Meanwhile, McLaurin requested to be traded, a move the team expected. However, McLaurin insisted that his request was serious.

That wasn’t something I did just to get an advantage or to cause a stir. I tried to be as intentional as possible. Am I perfect? No, I am not. Are there some things you think you might want to handle differently or do better? Sure, that’s any situation.
Terry McLaurin

But it also became clear that he wanted to stay in Washington, calling it a place he loved.

When you have two sides that want to reach an agreement and are willing to compromise on both sides, that’s when agreements are made.
Terry McLaurin

McLaurin met with general manager Adam Peters several times after reporting on July 27.

We had many great conversations.
Adam Peters

Peters explained that, despite the emotional ups and downs, they never lost their admiration and respect for McLaurin.

You have to do what’s best for the team, but also reward someone for being a good player… and not lose sight of what this person means to our locker room, to our team.
Adam Peters

After the agreement was announced on Monday, Peters heard a commotion coming from outside his office, of the players celebrating with McLaurin. McLaurin said he was greeted by about 30 teammates in the gym to congratulate him.

Throughout this entire process, that was probably the greatest gift I received playing football. That’s what brotherhood is all about. I hope it’s a reflection of the type of team player they feel I am.
Terry McLaurin

The Commanders were happy to have him back.