Washington Commanders All-Pro wide receiver Terry McLaurin did not report to training camp Tuesday amid a contract dispute, per multiple reports.
McLaurin, 29, was not present for a required conditioning test that unofficially marks the start of training camp. He is the only Commanders player absent from camp.
This comes a week after McLaurin revealed that Washington hadn’t spoken to his representation about a new contract in more than a month.
“I’ve been pretty frustrated, I’m not going to lie,” McLaurin said. “Everything that has transpired up to this point has been disappointing and frustrating. I want to continue my career here, I’ve created my life here, my wife and I have bought out first home here. So this has been somewhere where I’ve always wanted to be.”
The Ohio State product is entering the final year of a three-year, $68.4 million contract. His contract currently ranks 17th by average annual value among wide receivers.
Several high-profile pass catchers have signed deals this offseason, including the Pittsburgh Steelers’ DK Metcalf, who was drafted in 2019 like McLaurin. Metcalf inked a four-year, $132 million contract, but is two years younger than McLaurin.
McLaurin has not publicly stated the exact amount of money he’s looking for, only that he wants to get paid commensurate with the type of player he is.
“With how the market is today, it conveys what guys of my caliber are deserving of,” McLaurin said.
He is coming off a career year, amassing 82 catches for 1,096 yards and a career-high 13 receiving touchdowns with Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels under center. Last season marked McLaurin’s fifth consecutive 1,000-yard campaign.
Despite McLaurin’s holdout and a lack of headway in negotiations, Commanders general manager Adam Peters made it clear that extending the receiver is paramount.
“Without a doubt, I think everyone in this building values Terry very much,” Peters said. “… We’re going to do everything we can in order get a deal done.”
–Field Level Media
