The Washington Commanders recently resolved a lingering dilemma with star wide receiver Terry McLaurin by inking him to a lucrative three-year extension.
McLaurin worked out a long-term deal worth up to $71 million, with $28 million in signing bonus. Head coach Ron Rivera voiced that he believes that the new contract is a significant move for the franchise’s future.
“He’s an organizational signing,” Rivera said via ESPN. “It impacts not just the football side but the business side. It tells people we want to retain young men of this stature; we want young men of this magnitude out there representing our organization.”
McLaurin has become one of the team’s primary offensive pieces and has emerged as one of the game’s best young receiving talents. Through his three first seasons, the 26-year-old has compiled 222 receptions for 3,090 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns.
He has posted back-to-back 1,000 receiving yard campaigns. McLaurin is coming off recording 77 catches for 1,053 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
His presence will be a huge factor in the success Carson Wentz experiences in his first season in Washington. Wentz will likely lean on him as his primary passing game threat.
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Beyond that, having McLaurin locked into the long-term future could lead to other key players making Washington a similar choice. The Commanders are hoping to build a foundation that leads to sustained success as the franchise has struggled to find that in recent years.
Time will tell what lies ahead for Washington, but McLaurin’s extension could be a sign of things to come.
