Don't drop the ball on this one

Commanders need to keep McLaurin happy with a fair contract extension

Associated Press photo

In stark contrast to the previous quarter-century, it’s hard to find fault with the Washington Commanders’ decision-making over the past two seasons.

Since Josh Harris’ group took control, the team has hired competent men as head coach and general manager; drafted their elusive franchise quarterback in Jayen Daniels; reached the NFC championship game for the first time in 33 years; addressed pressing needs in trades, free agency and the draft; and reached a deal to build a new stadium on the RFK site — albeit one that still faces some significant hurdles.

So it would be shocking if the Commanders fumble what looks like the easiest call of all: signing star receiver Terry McLaurin to a contract extension.

Until Daniels arrived last fall, McLaurin had been one of the few reasons to care about the Commanders. Despite a carousel of undistinguished quarterbacks and offensive coordinators, he has surpassed 1,000 yards in five straight seasons after barely missing that milestone as a rookie.

Even more importantly, he’s been a model citizen and teammate for a franchise that had embarrassed itself consistently under Daniel Snyder’s ownership, showing remarkable poise and maturity amid the adversity.

He’s entering the final season of a three-year, $62.8 million contract extension that represented market value when he signed it in 2022. It now seems insufficient, though, in light of the recent deals signed by Ja’Marr Chase (averaging $40 million annually), Justin Jefferson ($35 million), CeeDee Lamb ($34 million) and DK Metcalf ($33 million).

McLaurin is skipping Washington’s mandatory minicamp this week, a common negotiating ploy among players entering the final years of their contracts. Often (but not always) the sides eventually agree on figures, but the holdouts often extend into training camp.

The Commanders, of all teams, shouldn’t let that happen.

There’s no reason not to pay McLaurin what he deserves, given all he’s done for the franchise. And doing it sooner than later would be a good P.R. move.

The one argument that’s been raised is that McLaurin turns 30 in September, and — like most of us — receivers tend to decline a bit in their fourth decade on the planet. The easy rebuttal is that McLaurin is coming off the best season of his career (82 receptions, 13 touchdown catches) in his first time playing with a bona fide quarterback.

Despite adding key starters like Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel in the off-season, the Commanders still have enough salary cap space ($21 million, according to Spotrac) to give McLaurin a three-year extension similar to the $90 million deal the Miami Dolphins awarded 31-year-old Tyreek Hill.

We’ve seen plenty of NFL stars make a name for themselves in one city before getting away when age and money became issues. The current Exhibit A is Aaron Rodgers, whose signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers smacks of desperation on both sides. (Much more on that later.)

Sure, it’s easy to spend other people’s money. But failure to keep McLaurin happy and productive would be a huge mistake for a franchise that is riding a wave of goodwill. It would also risk retarding Daniels’ growth by stripping him of his favorite and most reliable target.

The Commanders should make it a priority to hammer out a fair deal as soon as possible. McLaurin almost never drops the ball; his bosses shouldn’t, either.