ASHBURN, Virginia – Washington Commander Terry McLaurin’s receiver will not be appearing in the mandatory three-day mini-camp this week as discussions over a contract extension continue, several sources confirmed to ESPN.
McLaurin attended training in the early spring, but skipped the voluntary OTA sessions that took place over the past three weeks. McLaurin’s rookie contract expires after the season. He is looking for a new deal online with what other top receivers have received this offseason.
After negotiating for AJ Brown on the first night of the 2022 draft, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Brown for a four-year extension worth $ 25 million per season. The Tennessee Titans had selected Brown one round ahead of McLaurin in the 2019 draft. McLaurin’s base salary is $ 2.79 million this season.
2 Related
Other wide receivers chosen in the 2019 draft, such as DK Metcalf and Deebo Samuel, are also looking for contract extensions, but took different approaches to their teams ’mini-fields last week. Metcalf skipped the Seattle Seahawks ‘mandatory mini-camp last week, while Samuel, who requested a change earlier this offseason, attended the San Francisco 49ers’ mini-camp.
Washington had expected McLaurin to attend because of his role as team leader, even if he was not going to work. The commanders also want him to develop a relationship with new quarterback Carson Wentz, with whom he has not yet worked on the field.
A player who misses all three days of minicamp will be fined a total of $ 93,085.
McLaurin, 26, enjoyed another productive season in 2021 despite Washington’s inconsistency as a quarterback. He finished with 1,053 yards, his second straight 1,000-yard season, and five touchdowns in 77 receptions.
Washington has maintained optimism all along in its ability to retain McLaurin. Last year, the team signed an extension to defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and announced it just before the opening of the training camp in late July. Washington has set a similar schedule with McLaurin, although the receiver market was going in a direction this low season that few expected.
Like Allen, McLaurin is a key face of the franchise. He was featured in the season’s promotional material and after they changed his name to Commander. A source said last week that McLaurin has kept in touch with team officials about what he wants.
To help McLaurin and the attack, Washington selected receiver Jahan Dotson in the first round. Commanders also have Curtis Samuel, who will be out of soft tissue injuries throughout the season in 2021, tight end Logan Thomas, who is coming off a broken ACL, and runner JD McKissic, among others, to help the passing game.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter contributed to this report.