The Commanders were one of the NFL’s most pleasant surprises in 2024, but they may have run into a roadblock for 2025 before the season even begins.
In the lead-up to training camp, Washington All-Pro receiver Terry McLaurin expressed frustration with a lack of progress on a new contract. As it stands, McLaurin is entering the final year of his deal and could enter free agency in 2026.
McLaurin, who will turn 30 this season, enjoyed a career year in 2024. He turned in the fifth consecutive 1,000-yard campaign of his career while scoring a career-best 13 touchdowns as franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels’ top target.
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The frustrations have led to questions around McLaurin’s short- and long-term future with the franchise, with his training camp attendance being the biggest short-term concern.
Here is what to know about his status for Commanders camp and beyond.
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Terry McLaurin contract holdout
McLaurin and the Commanders have not made progress toward a contract extension, clouding his future with the franchise. He is seeking stability and more compensation as the wide receiver market has jumped into the range of $30 million annually or more.
With his contract situation up in the air, McLaurin was noticeably absent from the team’s mandatory minicamp in June. The parties have reportedly not had meaningful conversations about a new deal in some time.
In conjunction with a commercial shoot in the Washington, D.C. area on Tuesday, July 15, McLaurin fielded questions from the media about his contract situation and what it meant for his availability moving forward.
McLaurin said, “Without any progress in discussions it’s kind of hard to see how I step on the field.”
“I haven’t decided [if I will report to training camp] yet,” McLaurin told reporters. “I’m tryin’ to take things day by day — I think that’s the disappointing part. I was hoping that to this point, things would clear up a lot more than they have, so I haven’t made that decision yet.
“I’m going to see how the rest of this week goes and take it day-by-day from there.”
Terry McLaurin hasn’t decided if he will report to training camp next week. He’s taking things day by day pic.twitter.com/T7cV3zdJiL
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) July 15, 2025
Veteran players are expected to report to Commanders training camp on Tuesday, July 22.
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Terry McLaurin contract details
McLaurin has one year remaining on a three-year, $68.4 million rookie extension signed in 2022. He is set to earn just under $20 million this season when factoring in various bonuses.
All figures via Spotrac.
| Season | Age | Base salary | Bonuses | Total |
| 2025 | 30 | $15,500,000 | $4,150,000 | $19,650,000 |
| 2026 | 31 | Unrestricted free agent | Â | Â |
In addition to his base salary of $15.5 million, McLaurin is set to earn a $2.8 million roster bonus, an $850,000 roster/game bonus, and a workout bonus of $500,000. The $4.15 million in bonuses brings McLaurin’s 2025 salary above $19.6 million.
Upon signing in 2022, McLaurin received a $28 million bonus.
Will Commanders trade Terry McLaurin?
Washington is not planning on trading McLaurin, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
“I checked with Washington, they have no plans to trade Terry McLaurin, they do want him there long term,” Fowler reported on Saturday, July 19. “The question is ‘are they willing to meet this market that’s gotten crazy?'”
McLaurin expressed how he and his wife have established a foundation in the D.C. area, calling it home. He added that “I want to be here. I want to make that abundantly clear,” before acknowledging that “it takes two to tango.”
