The 2025 Free Agency Thread

[skinsinparadise]

I am more convinced by the day they aren't going to give him a contract he'll accept. He'll play for us in 2025 and they *might* franchise him in 2026 but I don't think a long term deal is going to get done. He used the word 'disrespect' - that tells you where it's at. We aren't close to offering what he expects.

Should be interesting. A reporter (maybe Keim am forgetting) said months ago that Terry with his previous contract was stubborn, and the negotiation was stalling, but Snyder needed some good PR and pressed the FO to get a deal done, and they did even though they felt it was an overpay.

I've heard that Terry's agent doesn't typically represent big players and isn't the easiest to deal with.

I love Terry. I loved Terry in that draft and defended the pick hard on ES, it wasn't well received by everyone at the time. But...

The dude is going to be 30 this year, 31 i gather with the start of a new contract. At that age, the decline happens for almost everyone. He says its different with him just because.... Nikii from the WP leaked on Standig's podcast that she heard that he sees Metcalf's contract as the floor for his, which would I think is 30. So if that's the floor, maybe he's asking for 33 or something like that?

I don't know which side is playing more hardline. But for example if Peters is offering Terry 30 or close to it and Terry finds it insulting because he thinks he should 33-35, then by a mile I am on the FO's side on this. I'll grant that while Evans who took a contract in the low 20s from Tampa at 30 years old shouldn't be the floor either.

Mike Evans loves being in Tampa and he among others with that team seem to be willing to do team friendly deals. But Washington is new as to being a great culture and a destination spot so they don't get players typically giving team friendly deals and it doesn't regardless seem to be Terry's style. But in Terry's defense, I don't blame players for wanting to maximize their contracts.

Heck I'd love to negotiate for a job, where I'd deem a salary that in my eyes is a show of respect and anything less is disrespectful, while having fans on twitter, etc, telling my potential employer to pay me whatever I ask for.

But overall I'd love to know the impass. But it feels like there is some underlying psychology with the Terry's negotations with Terry having a hangup with the reputation with some of not being an elite WR in the conversation with the Jefferson's and the Chase's, and also with that next tier too with the Ceede Dee Lamb's, AJ Browns, etc. And he feels like he belongs in that class. And Terry's agent who from what I gathered isn't one of the big boy agents wanting to be seen as that. And getting that big mark salary is a show is respect to Terry's agent and to Terry too to show hey we think you are as good as Ceede Lamb and those guys, etc.

But that's a guess on my end. I didn't love all of the openly whining from Terry the other day. So while he's been my favorite player for years. He lost me a little the other day.

 

[Discobob]

And getting that big mark salary is a show is respect to Terry's agent and to Terry too to show hey we think you are as good as Ceedee Lamb and those guys, etc.

Yeah, I would bet this is playing into the impasse. I suspect Terry feels under-rated, and views this contract as a way to "prove" his value.

Its unfortunate that he hit his stride a bit later in life than some of his chief competition. That is probably the largest confounding factor as they weigh contract comps.

 

[Boone]

The team may be playing this a lot smarter than we give them credit for. McLaurin obviously feels a lot of stress and pressure to know what his future is. That’s why he did the impromptu presser this week. He is trying to enlist public opinion to his cause and make the team feel pressured to get the deal done.

For the team though, is there really a rush? Sure they want him in camp and a holdout is t helpful, but from a negotiating POV it may be smart. By not meeting or having further discussions for a few months, they are sending a pretty strong signal to TM and his agent that their ask is too much. McLaurin blinked this week going public. I think he did it pretty professionally but it’s hard to see that as anything other than he is getting very antsy about his future.

So maybe this is the point at which his agent makes a counter offer the team feels it can live with. Of course, it could go the other way and as I’ve said if TM is asking for top WR money it probably will go the other way. TM communicated this week that it’s highly personal for him. It will never be personal for Peters and this front office.

 

[Boone]

Yeah, I would bet this is playing into the impasse. I suspect Terry feels under-rated, and views this contract as a way to "prove" his value.

Its unfortunate that he hit his stride a bit later in life than some of his chief competition. That is probably the largest confounding factor as they weigh contract comps.

He was a 3rd round pick - that also matters, whether that’s fair or not.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Yeah, I would bet this is playing into the impasse. I suspect Terry feels under-rated, and views this contract as a way to "prove" his value.

Its unfortunate that he hit his stride a bit later in life than some of his chief competition. That is probably the largest confounding factor as they weigh contract comps.

Yeah he was an older rookie. It comes with the turf that its hard to get a big contract when its your third one let alone doing so when you are 30 plus.

In my view, the other day he should have just said something like look the negotiation isn't going the way I'd like, I'd love to stay here, and am hoping that i am properly rewarded for my service for this team and what I can contribute down the road -- but unfortunately we arent there yet.

Instead, his open whining with him more or less saying that he gets the impression that the team doesn't respect him and if that's the case they should man up and just flat out tell him that. And then some of the rest of his rhetoric came off like insecurity about how he's seen versus WRs who are IMO flat out better than him.

Terry is a great WR. But he's not in that first tier of the great WRS or in that 2nd tier of the great WRs IMO. He's argubly in the bottom of that 2nd tier of great WRs -- that C. Lamb, AJ Brown, class. But it comes off a bit odd that Terry needs that type of validation and more of less is openly discussing it. And I wonder if its agent driven because I've heard multiple reporters say Terry's agent is trying to make his mark because he's not considering one of the good ones.

 

[Chris]

I blame it on the new wife. 😉

 

[Anselmheifer]

When Clowney became free, he leapfrogged Von with me. So lol, love it if they signed him still. Am guessing that's unlikely.

But I preferred Von over Z. Smith, Preston Smith.

The dude is going to be 30 this year, 31 i gather with the start of a new contract. At that age, the decline happens for almost everyone. He says it’s different with him just because.... Nikii from the WP leaked on Standig's podcast that she heard that he sees Metcalf's contract as the floor for his, which would I think is 30. So if that's the floor, maybe he's asking for 33 or something like that?

I don't know which side is playing more hardline. But for example if Peters is offering Terry 30 or close to it and Terry finds it insulting because he thinks he should 33-35, then by a mile I am on the FO's side on this. I'll grant that while Evans who took a contract in the low 20s from Tampa at 30 years old shouldn't be the floor either.

Regarding Clowney, I agree, but I also see them as totally different players. I see Clowney as an every down edge that excels against the run and is going to get some occasional pressure, but isn’t a guy you line up and say, “this is a big 3rd down, get into your pass rush bag and get the sack”, in a big moment. I do think that’s Von Miller, as you have spoken to. And we need that guy.

I’d be floored if we sign Clowney. I think the team probably feels like the roster is pretty flush with guys that can set an edge. I have to say though, that I’d feel very different about this defense if we signed Clowney. And I do think it’s a Baltimore Ravens type move.

Regarding Terry, I’ve got no problem with a 3 million dollar overpay, if that’s what you consider a DK like AAV at 33 million. The cap is going up every year. To me, it’s about the length of the contract. I don’t want to pay that in Terry’s age 33 season. Terry has been super healthy, and very productive. To get him back in the fold, I’d overpay in terms of AAV and in terms of guaranteed money, and keep it to a 2 year extension. Maybe with a 3rd you can easily get out of. I wouldn’t even mind a fully guaranteed 2 year extension. There are ways to get this done.

 

[Die Hard]

He was a 3rd round pick - that also matters, whether that’s fair or not.

I think that may be a minor factor on a player’s 2nd contract…. but this is Terry’s 3rd. At this point, it’s all about production (not potential) and age.

There’s enough data points now for this contract that this should be an easy contract to finish. So something (money or term) isn’t in alignment.

I’m pretty amused by the 2 camps that fans have fallen off into. I can totally empathize totally with both parties. It appears the team has all the leverage though.

 

[RandyHolt]

<Von Miller has entered the chat>

 

[clskinsfan]

Love the Miller Signing. He is our 3rd down hunter for the season. He wont have to start here.

As far as Terry goes we control him for at least the next 2 years. Possibly 3. That is a good thing for a player north of 30 and heading into his twilight years. Maybe he does feel disrespected. So what. He signed his last contract. And the franchise tag is what it is.

 

[Boone]

On the draft position, I’ve seen a lot of stats that show it makes a difference - even in instances where a player appears to have been overdrafted. It contributes to the mindset that TM is an ‘over-achiever’ and not a ‘top tier’ player.

If TM were a 1st rounder, I think the narrative is less about whether he has elite physical gifts and more focused on how a lack of top (hell, even competent) QB play held him back. I think as a later rounder the narrative is that he’s very good but not great.

Anyway, I do believe where you were drafted always matters when it comes to NFL contracts.

 

[Boone]

And btw, I didn’t personally find Terry’s comments particularly ‘whiny’. It’s all relative. Compared to the average NFL player McLaurin is a saint, and extremely savvy and professional. I don’t think his comments have any effect whatsoever on the Front Office. And that’s probably the sign of a really good front office.

 

[clskinsfan]

And btw, I didn’t personally find Terry’s comments particularly ‘whiny’. It’s all relative. Compared to the average NFL player McLaurin is a saint, and extremely savvy and professional. I don’t think his comments have any effect whatsoever on the Front Office. And that’s probably the sign of a really good front office.

Agree. That is just contract negotiating. I dont fault any player for trying to get what they can. I also dont fault teams for holding players to the contract they signed.

 

[Conn]

And btw, I didn’t personally find Terry’s comments particularly ‘whiny’. It’s all relative. Compared to the average NFL player McLaurin is a saint, and extremely savvy and professional. I don’t think his comments have any effect whatsoever on the Front Office. And that’s probably the sign of a really good front office.

I align with this, I think. I do think it’s a sign that he’s ready to come back to the table, which is probably what the next stage in negotiations were waiting for. He has now taken his shot at negotiating through the media, but also revealed that he’s worried. The next person to receive his angst and a push to the negotiating table from Terry directly will probably be his own agent after this stunt doesn’t change anything.

I do think if he and his agent thought they could leverage fan pressure to change things, they’ll probably be surprised to find out that while #17 is beloved, it’s Peters that a huge portion of the fanbase is deep into a glowing honeymoon period with at this point. It’s not healthy but a lot of this fanbase is always looking for a savior, and right now he’s it. They’ll trust what he does until he gives the fans a reason not to. Terry is important to us, but his time here is waning in the grand scheme. The franchise continuing to ascend isn’t on his shoulders, but Peters’.

In the end, we all hope that Jayden Daniels’ time with Terry will turn out to be just the beginning chapter to an excellent career. But we don’t live and die with these next few years. Terry has happened to exist here during a very fraught and important transitional period for the franchise, which gives him a lot of meaning to the fans. But the idea is for this franchise to become upper echelon again over a much longer timeline than he’ll see in his career.

 

[Boone]

That is a super insightful post Conn. Really great.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

I just learned about the Von Miller signing here in this thread. At first I was excited, then I read he had 6 sacks in 13 games last season and 0 sacks in 12 games in '23.

 

[bifflog]

I just learned about the Von Miller signing here in this thread. At first I was excited, then I read he had 6 sacks in 13 games last season and 0 sacks in 12 games in '23.

Then how did you feel when you found out he got the 6 sacks while only playing 25% of the Bills defensive snaps

 

[clskinsfan]

I just learned about the Von Miller signing here in this thread. At first I was excited, then I read he had 6 sacks in 13 games last season and 0 sacks in 12 games in '23.

Miller had a 16.1 pressure rate last year. 11th among all pass rushers in the league. Sacks are pretty. But pressures are just as important in my book. Edited to add that Dan Quinn will get the most out of him as well.

 

[Anselmheifer]

I just learned about the Von Miller signing here in this thread. At first I was excited, then I read he had 6 sacks in 13 games last season and 0 sacks in 12 games in '23.

Top 10 in pass rush win rate last year and very solid PFF pass rush grade and overall grade. He had 6 sacks on limited snaps in 13 games. And performed well in the playoffs. Better run defense grade than Dante Fowler by a solid margin.

I think he’s a Rich man’s Dante Fowler on a one year contract. Last year he played around 200 snaps as a pass rusher and around 60 snaps defending the run. That’s how I’d expect him to be used again this year.

 

[RexTomb]

Imagine saying that two years ago!