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John Keim
ASHBURN, Va. — Washington Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin, annoyed with negotiations on a contract extension, has requested a commerce, a supply instructed ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Thursday.
With the edges far aside, McLaurin held out for the primary 4 days of coaching camp earlier than reporting Sunday. There was no motion towards a brand new deal, one supply mentioned.
McLaurin turned a hold-in and was positioned on the bodily unable to carry out listing with an obvious ankle damage suffered final season, although he participated in spring exercises. By reporting, McLaurin may not be fined $50,000 per day.
After observe every day, he has appeared on the sector and signed autographs for followers, a lot of whom have chanted his title. One younger fan requested him Sunday if he had been signed; McLaurin laughed and instructed him he was humorous. McLaurin would signal autographs for practically half-hour, then return to the constructing.
Staff sources have mentioned a number of occasions that the Commanders will not commerce McLaurin. It is unsure what curiosity he’ll draw from groups, understanding they must give up a package deal that tempts the Commanders after which pay him greater than $30 million per 12 months.
Washington normal supervisor Adam Peters mentioned on the day gamers reported to camp, “You’d wish to get these items achieved faster, nevertheless it would not all the time occur that approach.
“No matter occurs alongside the best way, simply perceive he is an incredible participant and we wish to preserve him right here.”
McLaurin first expressed frustration and disappointment concerning the negotiations to reporters July 15, saying he wouldn’t step again onto the sector till there was “development” towards a deal. Peters mentioned final week that the edges have talked, however there was no momentum.
A sticking level has been McLaurin’s age. He can be 31 when an extension begins, an age when groups are reluctant to pay huge cash for receivers.
Final 12 months, two older receivers signed extensions. At age 30, Miami’s Tyreek Hill signed a three-year extension for $30 million per 12 months with $52.535 million assured — however he was coming off consecutive seasons gaining no less than 1,700 yards. At 31, Tampa’s Mike Evans signed a two-year deal for $41 million with $35 million assured. Evans had caught 46 landing passes over the earlier 4 seasons earlier than the extension.
Earlier this week, Denver signed receiver Courtland Sutton, who turns 30 in October, to a four-year, $92 million contract with $41 million assured.
A number of different notable huge receivers signed long-term offers this offseason, together with the Bengals’ Tee Higgins (4 years, $115 million with $40.9 million assured), the Steelers’ DK Metcalf (4 years, $132 million, $60 million assured) and the Jets’ Garrett Wilson (4 years, $130 million, $90 million assured).
McLaurin is 2 years older than Metcalf, however they have been in the identical 2019 draft class. Their stats are comparable. Metcalf has caught 438 profession passes for six,324 yards and 48 touchdowns. McLaurin has caught 460 passes for six,379 yards and 38 touchdowns. However crossing that age 30 line has change into a deterrent towards receiving the same and even higher deal.
McLaurin has a base wage of $15.5 million this season with a cap hit of $25.5 million. He is coming off a career-best 13-touchdown season, with 12 of them thrown by quarterback Jayden Daniels. McLaurin has surpassed 1,000 yards for a franchise-record 5 seasons — with a excessive of 1,191 — and has been one of many staff’s hottest gamers since getting into the league.
“You are coping with a extremely good participant and actually good individual,” Peters mentioned July 22, “and also you by no means lose sight of that and ensure each dialog you have got could be very simple and in good religion and conserving that mindset all through … understanding our purpose is to get a deal achieved.”
A number of receivers have requested trades in recent times, together with McLaurin’s teammate Deebo Samuel, whose second request was granted by San Francisco this offseason. However the 49ers ignored his first one in 2022. Different receivers who’ve additionally requested trades in recent times embody Cincinnati’s Higgins and the 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk. Each ultimately signed extensions.
