The Washington Commanders and Terry McLaurin agreed to a three-year contract extension today. In that contract, McLaurin received a $28 Million signing bonus – the highest ever given to any wide receiver.
The new deal is said to be in the neighbourhood of $71 Million in new money and contain $53 Million in guaranteed money. McLaurin’s agents Buddy Baker and Tony Bonagura managed to put McLaurin into the top five bracket of wide receivers.
Other receivers that have received over $25 Million in signing bonuses were Julio Jones in 2019 ($25M), Tyreek Hill in 2022 ($25.5M) and DeAndre Hopkins in 2020 ($27.5M).
After missing Mini Camp last week, and the voluntary OTA’s before that, McLaurin will now be available for Training Camp. He is also now signed through the 2025 season when the wide receiver will be 30+ years old. He and 2022 Draft Pick Jahan Dotson could be a lethal combination for years to come.
Head Coach Ron Rivera said a few weeks ago that the team had ramped up contracts talks. Washington could not afford to lose McLaurin, due to both his ability and his popularity within the fan base. At no point did the team seem willing to trade McLaurin either.
The former third round pick has played with NINE different quarterbacks in his short NFL career, and has finished with over 1000 yards in both of his last two seasons. He had 919 yards receiving in his first season.
The deal is yet another massive wide receiver contract that so far, has dominated the off-season story lines. To date, McLaurin is one of six pass catchers to earn north of $70 Million. Other receivers cashing in include Davante Adams (five years, $142 M), Tyreek Hill (four years, $120 M), A.J. Brown (four years, $100 M), Stefon Diggs (four years, $96 M) and Cooper Kupp (three years, $80.1 M). Not that far behind, Mike Williams and Chris Godwin also both signed three year, $60 Million deals.
Now Washington can set their sights on filling a few defensive holes before the season begins.