The 2025 Free Agency Thread

[clskinsfan]

In today's employment market, people are doing this more and more. Especially if you have a highly valued skillset. IT, medical profession, cyber security and even construction renovation are arenas where friends have pushed for more and gotten it. If you are not shopping yourself, you are doing yourself an injustice.






The Rook

If you sign a contract you need to honor it. No one forced Terry to put pen to paper. Just saying.

 

[burgold]

Let me take the contrarian point of view. When you are good and trying to be great, the last thing you want to do is get rid of your best players. Sure, the solid players you jetison a year early, but you need great players to be great. Imagine this team without Terry. Who's lifting his load? How far backwards does this team go?

I remember when I was a collector and started selling items. There were two things to consider: the price you could get and the replacement cost. I'd argue that the replacement cost for Terry is way higher than the cost of keeping him even at a top salary. Now, if McCaffrey or Lane or someone else emerges then that's a different story, but right now you're trading a rookie mint condition Hank Aaron baseball card for a torn up and stained 2025 Paul DeJong.

 

[Anselmheifer]

It would be intere

If you sign a contract you need to honor it. No one forced Terry to put pen to paper. Just saying.

Let me take the contrarian point of view. When you are good and trying to be great, the last thing you want to do is get rid of your best players. Sure, the solid players you jetison a year early, but you need great players to be great. Imagine this team without Terry. Who's lifting his load? How far backwards does this team go?

I remember when I was a collector and started selling items. There were two things to consider: the price you could get and the replacement cost. I'd argue that the replacement cost for Terry is way higher than the cost of keeping him even at a top salary. Now, if McCaffrey or Lane or someone else emerges then that's a different story, but right now you're trading a rookie mint condition Hank Aaron baseball card for a torn up and stained 2025 Paul DeJong.

Sure, but using that same line of thinking, if we are paying a 34 year old Terry 34 million dollars, we probably could have had two players just as impactful for the cost.

 

[Canadian Hog]

Terry McLaurin has been my favourite player in Washington by a long shot over the span of the last 25 years or so. He represents everything you want in a player - toughness, dedication, leadership, character, etc. That all being said, the contract he is currently under is recognizing and rewarding him for all these great qualities.

2025/26 will arguably be his very best opportunity to win a championship or compete for one since wearing our colours. Why potentially mess with that and compromise the opportunity with the contract drama?

Get your butt to camp next week and win.

 

[The Rook]

There is so much leverage he has though. If I have for example some unique tech skills where I can just quit and go elsewhere, OK.

With Terry for starters he's under contract. He can go nowhere whether he wants to leave or not. Also with Rapopport also mentioning Terry wants north of 30 million. Lets say for argument's sake he's asking for 34 million, i think there is zero chance another team would both trade for him and give up that kind of money for a 31 year old at the start of that contract.

So if I got unqiue skills, and can take that from Microsoft to Apple, OK. But paying a 31 year old (at the start of that contract) 34 million lets say, isn't a hot commodity in the league IMO.

I wasn't talking about Terry. I was responding to your "Imagine if we ..." comment.





The Rook

 

[Anselmheifer]

Terry McLaurin has been my favourite player in Washington by a long shot over the span of the last 25 years or so. He represents everything you want in a player - toughness, dedication, leadership, character, etc. That all being said, the contract he is currently under is recognizing and rewarding him for all these great qualities.

2025/26 will arguably be his very best opportunity to win a championship or compete for one since wearing our colours. Why potentially mess with that and compromise the opportunity with the contract drama?

Get your butt to camp next week and win.

I don’t particularly disagree with anything here, other than, I think our chances are even better next year. I think the roster is still a year away from truly being in the same class as the other elite teams. And in a year, Barkley is going to be a year older, and we probably wont have quite as difficult a schedule as this year. And, we have a lot of young players that will probably be better next year. Conerly, Amos, Coleman, etc etc etc.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I wasn't talking about Terry. I was responding to your "Imagine if we ..." comment.





The Rook

That's cool. I guess in my work world, I can't just name my price nor can my peers. But I do know from watching CNBC, etc, some skills are in such high demand now, especially in high tech, that those who possess them can name their price to your point.

 

[burgold]

Sure, but using that same line of thinking, if we are paying a 34 year old Terry 34 million dollars, we probably could have had two players just as impactful for the cost.

I think the "just as" isn't a given. I dimly remember Art Monk at 35 not being the player he was in the '80's, but it's still not a given or easy to replace a great player. I mean look at our wide receiver roster last year. Heck, look at it this year. Which two players "equal" Terry?

I mean you might be right. I don't know how much his skills will drop off. But would you really trade your Babe Ruth card for a Rock Cartwright and a BRob?

 

[SkinsNumberOne]

Yeah even some of the reporters are piling on. I see Loverro wrote a column today about it. I just don't get the idea that negotiation is a one way affair. It's 100% about how the player sees it, not the team, not the league, etc. Whatever Terry wants is the right price -- plain and simple. That seems to be the mindset with some on this.

Imagine if we can negotiate our payraises like that? Hey this is what I deserve. I work hard. I am a good dude. If you disagree with the price I demand, you clearly don't value me, etc.





“I’m a leader in that locker room,” he told reporters. “And when you have that kind of person who brings what I bring on the field, off the field, in the community, I feel as somebody that should be valued at a very high level. Fortunately, I’ve proven that. But unfortunately, you can’t force somebody to see that value.”

Hm, I have meant to mention this, I guess with that Thom quote it's time --
Art Monk is my favorite player in Redskins history. I grew up in the 80s, the full decade, so I grew up with those Super Bowl teams. Art Monk is my favorite player.

When he left the team, my initial reaction was DEFINITELY getting upset. Then - I heard what happened. As I recall, he asked for something over 1m, and the team offered him 1m. He wanted more. Eventually he left the team and went to the open market. As I recall - this is what was reported at least - he signed for 1m with the Jets.

So he just didn't know his market.

I think in reality, Terry is VERY similar to Art. A lot of times, the nicer guys don't know how to negotiate that well. A lot of times, they don't always see or understand how the market works and when their value peaked already, etc. Terry had more negotiating power in the past, and he was loyal. I think Art maybe was the same - or maybe his timing was off - but regardless if that story is right, he didn't know his value properly.

This really reminds me of that.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Keim in his last podcast made the point that he gathers McLaurin's insistence on getting his price isn't per se about just money but its about recognition that this team sees Terry as high as name that dude getting the big number that Terry wants to match. In other words (my words not Keim), if for example Terry gets paid more than Garrett Wilson hypothetically its not about getting more money than Wilson as to raw money -- its about the team making a statement that they see him as a player who is as good or better than Wilson.

Look I get the point. And yes I do think Terry is a classy guy. But when he goes on and on about putting the team first. This to me isn't an example of it. There are players like for example Josh Allen who got big contracts but it was said at the time he should have gotten more and his response was probably so but he got enough, and it wasn't about topping this or top that. Ditto the examples I gave for Tampa with some of their players who actually took discounts to stay, and big ones. Three of their bigger players and 2 of which are seen as leaders.

I don't see it being a team first leader to hold the team hostage to the thought that they need to make a statement that Terry in their eyes is as good or better than this dude. I think Terry is a great guy and has been a great player. I am just not on the side with those who think he's still acting like that in this negotiation. And look I don't think he's acting that different from most players. But that's sort of my point. Terry likes to say or hint that he holds himself to a different standard, a higher one that most. And in most cases, that's true. But in this case, Terry comes off as mercenary as most players.

That's how it is for most. And I get it. Put yourself first. That's what most of us would do. And I don't mark him down for that. But lol, I am adament though that Terry isn't being anything better than name most other players in similar situations. So that's the reason why I am not seeing him as the "right" side in this negotiation. I'll side with him though if I hear this team is seriously low balling him. But I haven't heard that yet.

Like I mentioned, I heard he and his agent were like that in the last negotiation for his 2nd contract which was hardline and the team ultimately budged. And that's fine. It reminds me some of Kirk back in the day. But the difference was Kirk was hitting his prime, he could wait it out. Terry doesn't have that luxury.

 

[SkinsNumberOne]

I think the "just as" isn't a given. I dimly remember Art Monk at 35 not being the player he was in the '80's, but it's still not a given or easy to replace a great player. I mean look at our wide receiver roster last year. Heck, look at it this year. Which two players "equal" Terry?

I mean you might be right. I don't know how much his skills will drop off. But would you really trade your Babe Ruth card for a Rock Cartwright and a BRob?

Is your Babe Ruth 100 years old? I mean, in a cold world where you want your team to win, it's not a name and it's not a marketing thing. It's a winning thing. So, you have to go with the team that gives you the best chance to win, whatever you believe that is with all factors under consideration (opportunity cost on $, skill, etc.).

Some other situations that we may be aware of: Capitals - they tend to be loyal to their older players. Backstrom and Oshie were recently on LTIR, but prior to that, as a fan, you knew the team wasn't going anywhere. The salary they ate up vs their skill, along with other aging guys on the team who also had similar ratio issues -- you just weren't going to go far. The Nationals are in a different place. Owners don't want to spend. So anyone who costs $ is going to be jettisoned.

It all depends on what the owners and FO are truly putting in their evaluation. For Terry, he wants his leadership and his loyalty to be valued. Totally get it. He was here during some REALLY bad times for this franchise and I will always respect him for that. However, this is not that time, and if they are giving him a real market value for his ability (just like Monk in the 90s when he went to NYJ from reports at the time)... I think that he should probably be reasonable about it and take it. The question then is, does he understand his market (I don't think Art did)?

 

[Simeon]

Didn't see this posted so my bad if I missed it. Some excerpts below:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/07/18/terry-mclaurin-contract-risk-commanders/

Paying Terry McLaurin big money may seem fair, but it’s bad business​

There is major risk involved in signing McLaurin, who turns 30 this September, to a long-term contract extension.
.......

The wide receiver market has gotten out of hand​

"In 2024, McLaurin had 82 catches for 1,096 yards and a personal-best 13 touchdowns to earn his second Pro Bowl nod and first all-pro (second team) selection. He ranked fourth among all receivers in expected points added, per TruMedia, generating 61 total EPA — roughly the equivalent of two additional wins for his team.By my estimate, each win is worth about $13.8 million on the open market, putting McLaurin’s 2024 value at $27.1 million. The wide receiver market has blown way past that...."

Wideouts age 30 or older tend to decline​

"Especially for wide receivers who play primarily on the outside like McLaurin, reaching age 30 is rarely the beginning of anything. Historical aging curves show that production — measured in this case by fantasy football point output — tends to peak between ages 23 and 27, with sharp declines beginning around 28. Fantasy scoring isn’t perfect, but it’s a decent shorthand for real-world productivity. Based on that curve it’s more probable that McLaurin will regress from last year’s highs than sustain or surpass them in the coming seasons....."

A shorter-term deal would be much more team-friendly​

"Washington isn’t boxed in, yet. There are still several ways to navigate the McLaurin dilemma without torpedoing its salary cap or alienating the locker room.

One option is to offer a shorter, incentive-heavy extension that rewards McLaurin for continued production but limits long-term exposure. The team could also let the season play out and reassess in 2025, allowing them to make a more informed decision based on performance, health and Daniels’s development — but that assumes McLaurin agrees to play without a new contract.
Trading McLaurin now or before the trade deadline might be the most pragmatic way to recoup value before a potential departure, but that solution is sure to cause fan outrage at the very least, and locker room discontent at worst.
Most everyone in football can agree that McLaurin has earned every ounce of respect he gets in Washington. But admiration isn’t a contract strategy. Paying the right player at the wrong time, or for too long, is how franchises get stuck......"

-------------------

When I first pointed out the team's option for having him play out this last contract year and then franchise him I didn't envision that as a primary plan, just a reasonable Plan B if things went south in the negotiations. I still don't; I think Terry will sign before the season. What I also think is the team and fans owe him adulation and recognition in the team's hall of fame, etc.

What they don't owe him is the going rate for high quality wide receivers over the next three or four years, even if he is not about to go in decline. It's math. He is under contract now and extending him at current high end WR salaries would cost the team more than what it would cost to play this season and franchise him for even 2 seasons beyond. That would also let them see how he played each season before making a decision on the next. I would use that cost basis (listen Terry, we KNOW we can have you for 2 or 3 more seasons for less than what you want now) to put a cap on contract value or at least make any overage incentive based.

I personally don't blame Terry for asking for more, even if some view it as public whining. I would whine for an extra few million for my family if I thought it had a chance of working. Hell I would whine for a few thousand. If he holds out into the season or starts hurting the culture with a bad attitude that's another story.

I also agree with those who are suspicious of his agent. It really does look like his agent is feeding him some BS about what he "deserves" in order to maybe get a better contract on his resume for his (the agent's) own interest rather than Terry's.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Didn't see this posted so my bad if I missed it. Some excerpts below:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/07/18/terry-mclaurin-contract-risk-commanders/

Paying Terry McLaurin big money may seem fair, but it’s bad business​

There is major risk involved in signing McLaurin, who turns 30 this September, to a long-term contract extension.
.......

The wide receiver market has gotten out of hand​

"In 2024, McLaurin had 82 catches for 1,096 yards and a personal-best 13 touchdowns to earn his second Pro Bowl nod and first all-pro (second team) selection. He ranked fourth among all receivers in expected points added, per TruMedia, generating 61 total EPA — roughly the equivalent of two additional wins for his team.By my estimate, each win is worth about $13.8 million on the open market, putting McLaurin’s 2024 value at $27.1 million. The wide receiver market has blown way past that...."

Wideouts age 30 or older tend to decline​

"Especially for wide receivers who play primarily on the outside like McLaurin, reaching age 30 is rarely the beginning of anything. Historical aging curves show that production — measured in this case by fantasy football point output — tends to peak between ages 23 and 27, with sharp declines beginning around 28. Fantasy scoring isn’t perfect, but it’s a decent shorthand for real-world productivity. Based on that curve it’s more probable that McLaurin will regress from last year’s highs than sustain or surpass them in the coming seasons....."

A shorter-term deal would be much more team-friendly​

"Washington isn’t boxed in, yet. There are still several ways to navigate the McLaurin dilemma without torpedoing its salary cap or alienating the locker room.

One option is to offer a shorter, incentive-heavy extension that rewards McLaurin for continued production but limits long-term exposure. The team could also let the season play out and reassess in 2025, allowing them to make a more informed decision based on performance, health and Daniels’s development — but that assumes McLaurin agrees to play without a new contract.
Trading McLaurin now or before the trade deadline might be the most pragmatic way to recoup value before a potential departure, but that solution is sure to cause fan outrage at the very least, and locker room discontent at worst.
Most everyone in football can agree that McLaurin has earned every ounce of respect he gets in Washington. But admiration isn’t a contract strategy. Paying the right player at the wrong time, or for too long, is how franchises get stuck......"

-------------------

When I first pointed out the team's option for having him play out this last contract year and then franchise him I didn't envision that as a primary plan, just a reasonable Plan B if things went south in the negotiations. I still don't; I think Terry will sign before the season. What I also think is the team and fans owe him adulation and recognition in the team's hall of fame, etc.

What they don't owe him is the going rate for high quality wide receivers over the next three or four years, even if he is not about to go in decline. It's math. He is under contract now and extending him at current high end WR salaries would cost the team more than what it would cost to play this season and franchise him for even 2 seasons beyond. That would also let them see how he played each season before making a decision on the next. I would use that cost basis (listen Terry, we KNOW we can have you for 2 or 3 more seasons for less than what you want now) to put a cap on contract value or at least make any overage incentive based.

I personally don't blame Terry for asking for more, even if some view it as public whining. I would whine for an extra few million for my family if I thought it had a chance of working. Hell I would whine for a few thousand. If he holds out into the season or starts hurting the culture with a bad attitude that's another story.

I also agree with those who are suspicious of his agent. It really does look like his agent is feeding him some BS about what he "deserves" in order to maybe get a better contract on his resume for his (the agent's) own interest rather than Terry's.

It feels like the agent is telling Terry something like this

A. Age is just a number. The idea that WRs fall off in their 30s is pure BS and just a negotiation tactic from Peters and a disrespectful one.

B. to play off of the last point. It absolutely means nothing what age you are. 25, 30, same thing. So that is out the window and unacceptable as a negotiating point

C. You are an elite WR in the class of AJ Brown, Ceede Lamb, etc.

D. If the team isn't willing to pay you the same as those elite WRS, its total disrespect, total disregard for what you've done for this organization and they clearly don't see you the way the rest of the league does which is clearly being an elite WR

If I had to take a stab at this as to guessing the negotiation. the team wants to get to 30 million but isn't starting there. Maybe went with 28 or something. Terry's agent is asking for about 35-36. They sense that the meeting in the middle point is 30 for the team. And the agent's meeting in the middle ground is 34. The team doesn't want to go crazy into year 3 or 4 as to guaranteed money and the agent wants more. Who knows but that's my guess.

The other thing could be they are close on the average per year but the sticking point is the team wants to be able to get out of the contract if need be after 2 years -- common tactic especially with older players -- and Terry's agent hates it.

 

[SkinsNumberOne]

Like I mentioned, I heard he and his agent were like that in the last negotiation for his 2nd contract which was hardline and the team ultimately budged. And that's fine. It reminds me some of Kirk back in the day. But the difference was Kirk was hitting his prime, he could wait it out. Terry doesn't have that luxury.

Yeah, that is when he had way more negotiating power, right? I don't remember when that was, but obviously he was in his 20s. It's a different animal and a totally different calculation now. It seems he and/or his agent just do not get that side of it. Of course, we don't know the numbers though. If the team is offering mid-20s, I would say that is a problem. We just don't know. Until the Kinlaw contract, I would say I have no belief that AP would do something so off, but after the Kinlaw contract, I guess I can't say I'm as confident with the contract reasoning.

By the way, I have to say, Daniels with McLaurin... after last year, I really think it's a match made in heaven. Daniels has the touch and accuracy that really complements McLaurin's ball skills to such a high level. Thinking about it just makes this situation that much more disheartening! Too bad.

 

[Phantvm]

It feels like the agent is telling Terry something like this

A. Age is just a number. The idea that WRs fall off in their 30s is pure BS and just a negotiation tactic from Peters and a disrespectful one.

B. to play off of the last point. It absolutely means nothing what age you are. 25, 30, same thing. So that is out the window and unacceptable as a negotiating point

C. You are an elite WR in the class of AJ Brown, Ceede Lamb, etc.

D. If the team isn't willing to pay you the same as those elite WRS, its total disrespect, total disregard for what you've done for this organization and they clearly don't see you the way the rest of the league does which is clearly being an elite WR

If I had to take a stab at this as to guessing the negotiation. the team wants to get to 30 million but isn't starting there. Maybe went with 28 or something. Terry's agent is asking for about 35-36. They sense that the meeting in the middle point is 30 for the team. And the agent's meeting in the middle ground is 34. The team doesn't want to go crazy into year 3 or 4 as to guaranteed money and the agent wants more. Who knows but that's my guess.

The other thing could be they are close on the average per year but the sticking point is the team wants to be able to get out of the contract if need be after 2 years -- common tactic especially with older players -- and Terry's agent hates it.

The contention with point D is two fold.

1) Terry claims to want to be here…so long as the team values him at equilibrium with how he sees his own value. This is plainly disingenuous and talking out of both sides of your mouth. If you want to be here, then be here. You have a contract. We can continue to negotiate an extension well into the season. Which is it? Do you want to be here and compete or you want to make more money? (This isn’t to say someone shouldn’t make the most they can, because of course everyone should do this. Not just athletes).

However; perhaps don’t prattle on about how much you want to be here, how you’ve made your life here, and you just got married and bought your first house. No one cares. All are poor talking points for a contract negotiation. Again, if you want to be here, then be here. You’re needlessly causing drama because you have FOMO.

2) Who else in the NFL will both trade for and pay Terry commensurate with laid out compensation? The answer is ZERO teams. Thus this talking point fails it’s intended outcome whilst also exposing the entire fallacy of Terry’s side of the negotiation.

You were completely right SIP, this was a catastrophic misstep from Terry that only results in a lose/lose situation. He should’ve kept his mouth shut.

Fans and teammates won’t pay you.

 

[SkinsNumberOne]

Fans and teammates won’t pay you.

Yes and I also wonder if AP lost some respect for him as well. Considering AP likes to be a professional and keep things outside of the public sphere, I would have to imagine whether he is like "OK guy made a mistake" or not, at the very least a little respect was lost here. However, more than that could have been lost as well.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Yes and I also wonder if AP lost some respect for him as well. Considering AP likes to be a professional and keep things outside of the public sphere, I would have to imagine whether he is like "OK guy made a mistake" or not, at the very least a little respect was lost here. However, more than that could have been lost as well.

Yeah to this point. Rappoport said in a podcast he expect this team to keep it completely classy and not negotiate in the media and leak things, etc.

I know fans love Terry. I do, too.

But the idea with some fans that everything Terry does is the right thing and he must be right and Peters is blowing it -- I am just not with that thought.

I think so far the team has handled it better than Terry publicly.

Terry has a contract for this year -- yet has held out minicamp, referenced holding out training camp and is talking about how the team is disrespecting him. Heck he even talked about himself in third person -- Bieniemy style in one of those talks.

If Terry is that convinced his value is that high, then screw the team, just run it out to FA, like Kirk did. Kirk didn't hold out -- he just figured on the open market he'd get what he wanted. Terry's side clearly doesn't feel the same way. The question is why? And the easy solution I'd guess is they don't think they'd get what they want in the open market.

I don't think he has the high ground here the way some fans, do, especially on twitter. Now if I found out they super low balled him, I'd feel different. But considering how Terry's side is willing to talk-leak -- i suspect if the team's offer was something ridicolously low Terry's side would have leaked it.

 

[Conn]

I think people need to mentally prepare for the fact that Terry is likely to hold-in at the start of camp, for at least the first week—be there, but not on the field. He’ll do that to show he’s serious, and it’s a common tactic across the league.

I’m not saying it’ll help or hurt or whether it’s good or bad, simply saying people feeling angst over this already should just assume that the hold-in is about to happen, and be a distraction. Just expect it

 

[Simeon]

Yeah to this point. Rappoport said in a podcast he expect this team to keep it completely classy and not negotiate in the media and leak things, etc.

I know fans love Terry. I do, too.

But the idea with some fans that everything Terry does is the right thing and he must be right and Peters is blowing it -- I am just not with that thought.

I think so far the team has handled it better than Terry publicly.

Terry has a contract for this year -- yet has held out minicamp, referenced holding out training camp and is talking about how the team is disrespecting him. Heck he even talked about himself in third person -- Bieniemy style in one of those talks.

If Terry is that convinced his value is that high, then screw the team, just run it out to FA, like Kirk did. Kirk didn't hold out -- he just figured on the open market he'd get what he wanted. Terry's side clearly doesn't feel the same way. The question is why? And the easy solution I'd guess is they don't think they'd get what they want in the open market.

I don't think he has the high ground here the way some fans, do, especially on twitter. Now if I found out they super low balled him, I'd feel different. But considering how Terry's side is willing to talk-leak -- i suspect if the team's offer was something ridicolously low Terry's side would have leaked it.

I actually think Terry is closer to elite than maybe some of the others here. Currently. That doesn’t imply he will be there in ‘26 or ‘27, it’s more likely he will not. Point is that doesn’t matter, the team can have him for those years at less than he currently wants so that is the starting point.

What puzzles me the most is I think he’s smart AND mature so where is this coming from? I guess I am fantasizing it’s all a tactic and he will extend at a more reasonable offer the last possible moment. You are right though, it sure looks like Mr. Ego is now in charge and that’s not going anywhere viable.

 

[Hail Raiser]

Trade him for Henderson and make him go live in fucking Ohio, then sign Cooper or Allen to be WR2. 30+ mil is absurd for a 31 yo WR.