It's been a busy offseason for the Washington Commanders. They made plenty of moves in the early stages of free agency, including some stellar trades, but they aren't done yet. The 2025 NFL draft is less than two weeks away and the Commanders are in the full swing of draft preparation.
The largest part of that preparation is around meeting with draft prospects, watching film, and holding workouts for players they are considering. However, there are other aspects to draft preparation than just knowing which players you want to bring in. NFL organizations have to consider how rookie contracts impact veteran contracts, specifically those that will need a raise and an extension before those rookie contracts are up.
NFL.com recently answered one burning question for each team, and the Commanders' question involves the exact scenario above.
BURNING QUESTION: What kind of payday is Terry McLaurin looking at?
McLaurin is entering the final year of a three-year deal he signed in 2022, and there are many reasons why he should be looking for a raise in his extension talks with Washington. For one, he's the favorite target of star quarterback Jayden Daniels. McLaurin finished 2024 with 82 receptions, 1,096 yards and a career-high 13 touchdowns, helping Daniels claim Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. He also appears to be a stand-up guy who brings valuable leadership to a team that went from being a bottom-feeder to playing in the NFC Championship Game. Even though McLaurin turns 30 in September, he's still a productive player at a position where top-end talent is paid between $30 million to $40 million annually. The Commanders have cap space, and they've been spending plenty lately. McLaurin shouldn't be paid at the top of the market, given his age, but he certainly deserves a hefty bump from his current annual average salary of $23.2 million.
McLaurin certainly provides more for the Commanders than just stats on the field. His leadership and character both on and off the field are held in high regard around the league, and his willingness to stay in Washington through the transition from Dan Snyder to Josh Harris speaks volumes about his loyalty. What he did for Jayden Daniels's rookie season cannot be overlooked, regardless of his age.
McLaurin is absolutely deserving of a bigger contract, especially if he produces in 2025 like he did in 2024. He certainly doesn't look like a guy who's going to slow down anytime soon, and with the addition of Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil, the Commanders' offense is going to be an even bigger force to be reckoned with this year.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: One burning question for the Commanders ahead of the 2025 NFL draft
