Commanders Rumors: Terry McLaurin Unlikely to Report to Minicamp Amid Contract Talks

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin is reportedly "unlikely" to report for the team's minicamp, according to Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post.

McLaurin, 26, is entering his fourth NFL season and will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2022 campaign.

McLaurin has been Washington's most dangerous playmaker in the past three season, catching 222 passes for 3,090 yards and 16 touchdowns in that time. That's been an excellent average of 74 catches for 1,030 yards and 5.3 touchdowns per season.

He's also watched as some of the other receivers from his draft class have signed major extensions this offseason:

• A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles: Four years, $100 million
• Hunter Renfrow, Las Vegas Raiders: Two years, $32 million

Others, like Marquise Brown, are expected to sign extensions. Deebo Samuel reportedly requested a trade this offseason but has since reported to the San Francisco 49ers' mandatory minicamp, though that situation deserves monitoring.

And DK Metcalf has taken a similar approach to McLaurin, staying away from minicamp as he seeks a lucrative long-term extension.

A number of deals transformed the wideout market this offseason. Tyreek Hill (four years, $120 million), Davante Adams (five years, $140 million) and Brown received massive extensions after being traded to new teams. The champion Los Angeles Rams gave Cooper Kupp a three-year, $80 million extension, while the Buffalo Bills agreed with Stefon Diggs on a four-year, $104 million extension.

While the top of the market exploded, the Jacksonville Jaguars also stunned everyone when they signed Christian Kirk to a four-year, $72 million deal in free agency. Kirk had a strong season for the Arizona Cardinals in 2021, catching 77 passes for 982 yards and five touchdowns, but his deal was still widely viewed as an overpay, even at an important position like wideout.

Kirk's deal will raise the floor on what productive receivers like McLaurin expect, while Brown's $25-million-per-year deal raised the contract ceiling for the other players in his draft class.

McLaurin will make the argument that he's arguably been more productive to this point than Brown, with more receptions and receiving yards. The Commanders will argue that Brown has eight more touchdowns than McLaurin in three less games over the past three seasons and has been a Pro Bowler, an honor McLaurin has yet to achieve.

It would behoove both sides to get a deal done. But for now, McLaurin reportedly will be staying away from the team while they work out the kinks.