Jayden Daniels '100%' Feels Terry McLaurin, Commanders Will Agree to New Contract

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels expressed confidence Friday that the organization and wide receiver Terry McLaurin will find some common ground amid ongoing contract talks.

When asked by Dianna Russini of The Athletic on Scoop City (beginning at the 38-second mark of the video) if he feels he will have McLaurin in the fold entering the start of the 2025 regular season, Daniels responded positively:

"Oh, 100 percent. I feel great," Daniels said. "I just know that it's all gonna work out, that both sides will come to an agreement and Terry's gonna be back out here, and I'm gonna be throwing some passes to him."

McLaurin held out at the start of training camp before being placed on the physically unable to perform list. The Commanders activated McLaurin from the PUP list last week, and while he has been around the team since then, he has yet to participate in a full practice as he continues to seek a new deal.

Last year, the Commanders used the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft on Daniels, and he was every bit as good as advertised, winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

The 29-year-old McLaurin played a significant role in Daniels' success, leading Washington in receptions (82), receiving yards (1,096) and receiving touchdowns (13).

No other Commanders pass-catcher had more than 654 receiving yards or seven receiving touchdowns, which speaks to McLaurin being Daniels' favorite target by a wide margin.

As a result of his performance, McLaurin earned the second Pro Bowl selection of his career, and he perhaps gave himself some leverage in contract talks, although it hasn't led to a new deal yet.

McLaurin signed a three-year, $68.36 million contract extension in 2022, and this coming season will be the final one of his current deal, which explains his desire to secure an extension before the campaign starts.

The Commanders' front office improved the receiving corps this offseason by acquiring one-time Pro Bowler and First Team All-Pro Deebo Samuel in a trade with the San Francisco 49ers, but he is far from a sure thing at the age of 29.

Last season, Samuel finished with 806 total yards and four touchdowns, which were the second-lowest totals of his career.

Samuel also does much of his damage at or around the line of scrimmage, while McLaurin typically makes plays down the field, so Samuel is far more of a complement to McLaurin than a potential replacement.

The Commanders are coming off a shockingly successful 2024 season, as they reached the playoffs for the first time since 2020 and made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game.

Entering the 2025 season without a key piece like McLaurin would represent a significant step backward for the Washington offense, and if the front office realizes that, it could explain Daniels' optimism about having McLaurin locked in before the start of the regular season.

The Commanders will be favored with or without McLaurin in Week 1, as they are set to host the NFC East rival New York Giants on Sept. 7.