Commanders Finally Pay Terry McLaurin — About Damn Time!

Let me say this loud and clear for the folks in the back: THEY FINALLY PAID THE MAN.

Yes, it took way too long; there was way too much unnecessary drama, fines, frustration, a hold-in, and even whispers of a trade request.

But at the end of the day, the Washington Commanders finally came to their senses and locked down their star wide receiver, Terry McLaurin, on a three-year deal worth up to $96 million, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Now, let’s not sugarcoat this — it should’ve never gotten to this point.

Terry McLaurin has been the most consistent offensive weapon this franchise has had since he stepped foot on the field as a third-round pick back in 2019.

The man has crossed the 1,000-yard threshold five straight seasons. He’s made two Pro Bowls. He’s a Second-Team All-Pro. He’s been the very definition of durable, suiting up for all 17 games four years running.

And yet, this offseason, Washington dragged their feet. They wanted to nitpick about his age, about the receiver market, and about whether he’s “worth Tyreek Hill or Ja’Marr Chase money.”

Folks, let me tell you something: worth is defined by production and impact. And in today’s NFL, you don’t let a man who just caught 82 passes for over 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns — nearly double his career high — walk out the door.

You just don’t.

Here’s what makes this even more important: Jayden Daniels. 

The reigning Rookie of the Year, Pro Bowler, and MVP finalist had a historic first season in Washington.

And who was his safety blanket, his go-to, his ride-or-die on every critical down?

That would be Terry McLaurin.

Daniels doesn’t take the Commanders to the NFC Championship game last season without him.

Period.

You’ve got a young quarterback who looks like the real deal, a coach in Dan Quinn trying to shift the culture, and a fan base desperate for stability.

The last thing you can afford to do is alienate the one player who has carried your offense for half a decade.

Yes, McLaurin is 29. Yes, he’s approaching that magic number where teams start side-eyeing receivers like they’re aging milk.

But let’s not act like this man is slowing down. Tyreek Hill is 31 and still one of the baddest weapons in the league. A.J. Brown is 28 and just got paid.

McLaurin belongs in that tier — maybe not at the absolute top, but certainly in that second cut of elite receivers who deserve their bag.

And let’s also remember this: the Commanders are coming off a 12-5 season where they stunned the Detroit Lions in Ford Field, made it all the way to the NFC title game, and actually had people saying the words “Washington” and “Super Bowl contender” in the same sentence for the first time in decades.

You don’t derail that momentum by playing games with your franchise receiver.

So here’s the bottom line: Terry McLaurin earned this deal. Washington needed this deal.

And if they want Jayden Daniels to keep blossoming into the superstar we think he can be, then this partnership had to be secured.

It’s about damn time.