McLaurin’s Quiet Brilliance Isn’t Enough to Land Him Big Money
He didn’t directly discuss why the Washington Commanders won’t pay Terry McLaurin, but free agent Nelson Agholor unintentionally revealed a compelling reason why the team’s go-to wide receiver is still waiting for “his flowers.”
Agholor was speaking on Talkin’ Ball and was asked by host Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News what makes five-time 1,000-yard receiver McLaurin special. The former Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl winner’s telling answer included a comparison to an ex-Washington receiver and coach who played 16 years, posted monster numbers, but was never considered a star.
As Agholor explained, “it’s how you watch the tape. Does the guy have this, like, outrageous separation because he does some kind of double move or does the guy just make a great grab, you know, or a tough grab through traffic, down the field, over the shoulder? He had a quality highlight, over the shoulder catch I think last year that was circulating through, but like he makes a lot of those. He makes a lot of big-time, down the field grabs. He also makes a lot of grabs through the middle of the field, you know takes hits, he’s durable, you know.
Agholor believes McLaurin’s reputation “is one of those situations where, okay, if you look at the statistics, you see for 17 weeks he’s making plays, but you don’t know how they’re made unless you’re just a fan of receivers who do what they’re supposed to do.”
Being efficient in a non-showy way puts McLaurin in the “category of guys like Keenan McCardell, who I though was a quality receiver in the league that made a lot of plays, you know, and he probably didn’t get all his flowers.”
What Agholor has pinpointed is a key reason that’s not talked about enough for why McLaurin can’t get the money he wants from the Commanders. A reason why the 30-year-old may have to follow advice from a contracts expert and lower his demands.
Lack of Star Power Hurting Terry McLaurin
When Agholor said “you don’t how they’re made,” referring to the mechanics behind the big plays McLaurin produces on a weekly basis, he accidentally pinpointed what is hurting the receiver’s contract talks the most.
McLaurin is a true professional and one of the most consistent players in the NFL, but he’s not a star. He’s not a marquee name like Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase or even Tyreek Hill.
Regular fans and casual observers know who those players are and recognize their greatness without being told. Right or wrong, there’s more hype and more highlights showcasing their talents than those of McLaurin, who has simply steadily produced since entering the pros as third-round pick in 2019.
McLaurin has still stockpiled his share of special plays like this fantastic grab over tight coverage against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the playoffs, per Sunday Night Football on NBC.
McCardell did the same during multiple 1,000-yard campaigns with the Bucs and Jacksonville Jaguars. He finished his career in Washington in 2007, eventually tallying 11,373 yards, before serving as the wide receivers coach for the franchise during the 2010 and ’11 seasons.
What McCardell didn’t have, and nor does McLaurin, was the fanfare of the league’s biggest names at their position. Agholor’s contention McLaurin’s brilliance is only appreciated by those in the know, leaves out a significant proportion of fans.
Receivers adored by the masses have greater marketing value and can exert more pressure at the negotiating table. Without the extra pressure, McLaurin must change his strategy.
Commanders Still Hold Power
McLaurin wants in excess of $30 million, what the Pittsburgh Steelers handed to DK Metcalf earlier this offseason, but the Commanders don’t have to budge. That’s according to Sportrac.com’s Michael Ginnitti.
He told 106.7 The Fan, why McLaurin is “gonna have to cave” because “team has most of the leverage here.” Ginnitti believes McLaurin is “gonna to have to come down” to $25 million per year for two years. If not, Ginnitti thinks the Commanders are convinced McLaurin “will step on the field with his current contract and play out that contract.”
It’s a sobering take for McLaurin, who has the numbers and dependability to justify his demands. Unfortunately, as Agholor inadvertently explained, the Commanders’ top receiver isn’t quite enough of a star to get paid on his own terms.
