The All Things Terry Thread

[SkinsNumberOne]

I think ‘playing hardball’ is an odd way to characterize what the team is likely to do. They don’t have to do anything. McLaurin is under contract (for 2 years if the team elects to tag him). Holding him to a contract he willingly signed and was handsomely compensated for is not hardball, it’s just what businesses logically do.

I think the team is waiting for McLaurin to, for lack of a better term, come down off his high horse and set a reasonable price for a contract extension. If he doesn’t, they’ll let his current contract play out.

He’s not an free agent even if Terry and his agent want to pretend he is.

I agree, it absolutely is odd.

The whole NFL business is odd. It's different.

The players in general look at the big picture of how much money owners and teams make, and they want what they consider a fair piece based on being the engine that ultimately drives the value. There are other considerations of course, health risks, sacrifices made, that also can figure into their personal opinions. Then, the market develops from there.

The market drives almost everything here. If you go against the market, you need to have a really solid plan around what you are doing. Terry, unfortunately, is driving us into a weird position. This team is on the upswing, and yes, teams on the upswing don't have to pay taxes based on being bad / poorly run teams that aren't destinations. However, AP came from the 9ers. I have often found the 9ers way of doing business also as a bit odd. This is from memory, but as I recall, they have given out contracts to guys that I found a bit strange and I always felt they were limiting their window in strange ways when they did so. Maybe it comes from having a former player as a GM (Lynch), who maybe doesn't have enough savvy on the $$ side? I don't know.

When I said AP would be playing hardball to not negotiate, I am talking about compared to the status quo, the standard MO of most teams including good teams. Maybe not the Eagles. Maybe not one or two other teams. Most teams, though, in this situation with a player that I believe AP truly likes and truly values - I think he would have to "play hardball" in the sense of doing what may make logical sense to most of us and be normal, but I think flies in the face of standard practice for most teams (even including most good teams). I think in this case, there are many, many teams that would throw in the extra few million it would probably take. This is based around a lot of reporting that puts AP at 25/26, and Terry at 34/35 or those areas. Approximately 10 million difference. There are lots of other thing, guarantees, term, etc. that likely figure heavily.

Anyway, AP needs to manage this well. Snyder set bad precedent after bad precedent. It would be nice to set a good precedent. I think the Deebo deal at 20m with incentives, puts Terry at 25m in the *Commanders* WR room scale. I think if you put Terry at 30m you are basically upgrading every WR salary in that room without any further negotiation, it would be hard to argue otherwise. There are lots of factors at play here. I remember in the Snyder years, when one player got paid, all of the buds on the team would celebrate wildly about it. It just didn't feel like it was about the team, or winning, much at all. So this is an important time, and I don't think Terry or his representation have done him any favors in that regard. This can have an affect on team culture in many ways too.

 

[skinzplay]

This feels like negotiations are softening… What was reported to be a line in the sand a couple weeks ago seems to be moving.

Seems lije McLaurin's camp is using Russini as part of their approach to PR and indirect negotiations

 

[mistertim]

Washington has no incentive to trade him for a middle round pick.

Peters is not going to panic.

And at 30 Terry can’t afford to sit out the season, he will never make back the dollars.

Worst case is he sits 7 games and comes in to lock in the league year and have his contract advance, otherwise his deal overlaps into 2026.

Best case is for him to play in 2025 and put up numbers that legitimize top 5 for franchise tag or better trade.

I don't think Terry can play that card - where he sits out and only comes back for just enough games to accrue a season. Because if Washington wants to, they can say "you either play the full season or we put you on the Reserve/Did Not Report list and refuse to remove you from that list all season.", which means Terry can't play and he doesn't accrue a season, leading to his current 2025 contract year rolling over into 2026 (while getting paid nothing for 2025), putting him in the exact same situation as he is currently, only now at 31 years old.

That's what happened with Le'Veon Bell and it tanked his career. And Bell was only 26 when that took place. There's almost zero chance that Terry's career could survive missing an entire season at 30. When he comes back, no team would trade more than a ham sandwich for him and he's not going to get offered much more than a very mediocre 1 (maybe 2, if he's lucky) year deal.

 

[WCommandersfan25]

What if he refuses to play and ends up being traded for a ham sandwich? Maybe we get a third. Then the desperate team has to sign him to a contract he is never going to earn.

The Browns? With no actual QB on the team? That would be one of the few teams I'd imagine that could possibly be dumb enough.

I highly doubt he refuses to play. He'd literally be costing himself multi millions of dollars and a potential shot at a ring this year. If he does, he'll lose more in the next deal he gets. Significantly more. Also, in your scenario, if he refuses you take the 3rd rd pick and call it a day. That was the round he was drafted in. This whole thing is becoming a burden and the preseason is almost here. Terry's choice. Peters will stay firm.

 

[WCommandersfan25]

Seems lije McLaurin's camp is using Russini as part of their approach to PR and indirect negotiations

Something tells me Peters won't be swayed by Russini lol. Maybe Terry is seeing he's getting closer to losing real money soon. He'll give in sooner or later. I'd be shocked if he sits all year.

 

[Conn]

Seems lije McLaurin's camp is using Russini as part of their approach to PR and indirect negotiations

If so then they continue to be incompetent because right after that she posted that he of course doesn’t really want to get traded and she thinks this gets done soon. lol

 

[SkinsGuru]

Agree, its repetitive but lol we are killing time before the season. But to your point, I am starting to get bored with it. So hopefully it's settled soon.

I think there are enough whispers to make a strong guess for what's going on. Granted more so on Terry's ask than what the team is offering.

Schefter, Nikki (from WP, now the Athletic), Rappoprt have referenced ball park what they heard Terry wants.

What does Terry Want
Rappoport: north of 30
Nikki: Metcalf contract is the starting point for Terry;s camp
Schefter: Wants quite a bit more than the Metcalf contract -- I don't recall his exact words.

What is the team offering?
Steven Smith (granted dubious source) 27 million
Terry's pal on twitter: 25 million
Fowler: forgot exactly what he said but if I recall it was around 26.
Keim -- thought best case if both sides gave in -- they'd have a deal around 28 million.

So with all of that. Feels like there is a good chance this team is around 25-27 million. Feels like there is a good chance Terry wants somewhere from 33-36 million.

Tony Pauline, good source about the draft, not sure about the NFL straight up, he said asking around he heard Terry wants big guarantees and good long term security.

early on it was mentioned that Terry's camp was asking for $37 AAV . . . that matches the "substantially more than Metcalf" statement made by Schefter . . . so i believe his initial ask was for $37 million .. . not sure about guarantees, nor where any of that stands now. IMO $27 to $28 million max per season . . . with $60 mill guaranteed is MORE THAN FAIR!!

 

[skinzplay]

Something tells me Peters won't be swayed by Russini lol. Maybe Terry is seeing he's getting closer to losing real money soon. He'll give in sooner or later. I'd be shocked if he sits all year.

Yeah, I doubt AP will be swayed, either. It's no longer amateur hour in Ashburn, thank God.

 

[skinzplay]

If so then they continue to be incompetent because right after that she posted that he of course doesn’t really want to get traded and she thinks this gets done soon. lol

Continue to be incompetent is spot on.

 

[SkinsGuru]

This is the other point Russini brought up and hinted that she get this from the agent -- this team not having a #2 with big production.

I think this is at best a neutral point. I get it from the context of this team doesn't have a dude who can emerge as a #1 if Terry is out. But the fact that Terry doesn't do 100 catches. He doesn't do 1200 plus yards, etc. It should have been easier, not harder, easier for him to put up bigger numbers without a #2. He had a franchise QB who threw the ball a ton last year -- and Terry's numbers were very good but still weren't elite.

he may not have missed games, but he certainly disappeared in a few . . . even last year getting shut down by a rookie DB and disappearing in 4 to 5 games. That doesn't happen to Elite WR's.

 

[Bulldog]

After seeing the performance of Laremy Tunsil noted down by reporters at training camp vs. the Patriots I have no doubt that a measured approach to spending dollars in 2025 will yield big benefits in 2026 when the Big Dog needs a new deal and like Trent Williams will be worth much more to his quarterback than a wide receiver, a position that is much easier to find production from draft picks and mid-level free agents.

 

[Anselmheifer]

After seeing the performance of Laremy Tunsil noted down by reporters at training camp vs. the Patriots I have no doubt that a measured approach to spending dollars in 2025 will yield big benefits in 2026 when the Big Dog needs a new deal and like Trent Williams will be worth much more to his quarterback than a wide receiver, a position that is much easier to find production from draft picks and mid-level free agents.

It’s incomparable. A 31yo offensive tackle is in his prime. A 31yo WR? We’ve talked that to death. And you’re right. It’s easy to find productive WR’s. You don’t have to have a top 10 guy, if you have a top 5 QB. I’d honestly rather have a top 8 TE with my top 5 QB. And fill in the WR’s through the draft.

 

[HOF44]

Good blog on Buddy Baker.

Buddy Baker Has To Put His Ego Aside, Tuck His Tail, And Get Terry McLaurin Extended

Buddy Baker is a real name of a real agent who represents Terry McLaurin. If you are wondering why you haven't heard the name Buddy Baker before it's because Terry is Buddy's only high-profile client....

www.barstoolsports.com

 

[Bulldog]

Baker took Rivera to toolshed 3 years ago.

His problem is Peters is good at his job and has Super Bowl rings not fried onion rings in his display case.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

The dead cap to release him is 11 million in 2026 to keep him he's 28 million on the cap. Sprotac gives the year to bail out of a contract if a team so chooses as to financial viability of doing so on the player -- for Payne likewise they give the exit in 2026 to bail on the contract if the team chooses to do so.

It's not just Keim who talks about it. It's about as common a talking point as anything with just about everyone who covers the team as to Payne.

As for whether the team can pay 28 million? Sure. But its ridiculous to pay that for a good -- not great DT. Everyone that I can recall covers the team feels it would be shocking if they just rode out Daron's contract. So the apples to apples with Terry according to anyone I can recall covering the team is non-existent. They feel (as I do) the team of course would happily pay Terry's contract this year. They have no choice but to pay Payne what he's owed this year. But next year they got a choice. And Payne the way he's playing is barely an 8 million dollar a year DT, let alone 28 million a year.

We're paying $26M this year. So. There's that.

I knew you would have to defend Keim's honor immediately.

I still think he's wrong about this because both of math (Payne has another season) and because they're paying $26m this year, and that indicates they could pay $28m next year if he plays well this year.

Shrug. I don't agree this is a contract season for Payne. It is for Terry.

And the beat reporters often live in an echo chamber, if one of them says something, everybody else feels the need to say the same thing.

It's really ok for Keim to be wrong, or to disagree with him. He's usually right. But he's not infallible, and sometimes his takes are just not right. This is one of those times.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

I don't think Terry can play that card - where he sits out and only comes back for just enough games to accrue a season. Because if Washington wants to, they can say "you either play the full season or we put you on the Reserve/Did Not Report list and refuse to remove you from that list all season.", which means Terry can't play and he doesn't accrue a season, leading to his current 2025 contract year rolling over into 2026 (while getting paid nothing for 2025), putting him in the exact same situation as he is currently, only now at 31 years old.

That's what happened with Le'Veon Bell and it tanked his career. And Bell was only 26 when that took place. There's almost zero chance that Terry's career could survive missing an entire season at 30. When he comes back, no team would trade more than a ham sandwich for him and he's not going to get offered much more than a very mediocre 1 (maybe 2, if he's lucky) year deal.

I think the injury thing that they keep playing along with puts a crimp in that plan. They have to get that resolved ASAP.

 

[SkinsFTW]

I think the injury thing that they keep playing along with puts a crimp in that plan. They have to get that resolved ASAP.

If McLaurin decides that he's injured and sits out the year and they let it slide he's signing a 1 year 6M dollar prove it deal next year. He probably isn't that dumb but anything is possible.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

If McLaurin decides that he's injured and sits out the year and they let it slide he's signing a 1 year 6M dollar prove it deal next year. He probably isn't that dumb but anything is possible.

But they pay him $15m to sit out with a fake injury and I can't imagine that sits well with them either.

 

[skinsinparadise]

We're paying $26M this year. So. There's that.

I knew you would have to defend Keim's honor immediately.

I still think he's wrong about this because both of math (Payne has another season) and because they're paying $26m this year, and that indicates they could pay $28m next year if he plays well this year.

Shrug. I don't agree this is a contract season for Payne. It is for Terry.

And the beat reporters often live in an echo chamber, if one of them says something, everybody else feels the need to say the same thing.

It's really ok for Keim to be wrong, or to disagree with him. He's usually right. But he's not infallible, and sometimes his takes are just not right. This is one of those times.

You are on an island on the Payne issue. If I understand your point right and correct me if I don't. if your point is his contract is close enough to apples to apples to Terry because they'd happily pay him what the last year in the contract is.

Nothing about Keim exclusively. It's one of the most conventional talking points with just about everyone who covers the team. Keim is just the most credible of them hence I mention his name.

They have no choice but to pay Payne the 26 million (guaranteed money) this year. Been talked to death that if the Allen-Payne contracts were reversed for this year, it would have been Payne who would have been released. But Allen was the one without the major guaranteed money so he was the one released. Next year its Payne's turn. Just about everyone who covers this team has talked about it, and I can't recall any caller every disagreeing on the point.

As for me, I've been one of the people who voiced the most that Payne has been a disappointmemt -- so for me to agree with all the local beat guys that this team has no interest in paying Payne 28 million next year is on brand for me. Like I said, I think he's a borderline overpay at 8 million a year let alone 28.

For us to pay Payne 28 million next year, is not IMO even close to being apples to apples to paying off Terry's contract this season. To me paying Daron Payne 28 million is closer to the idea of paying Noah Brown 28 million a year (which of course would be absurd) than anything similar to the value of Terry.

The Payne contract has been discussed as one of the worst of Ron's era. And for this team, to double down on it in a big way by not taking the exit ramp in that contract and paying Payne the most absurd number of the overall absurd contract -- would be a wild shock to anyone covering this team and I gather most fans. I'd be stunned.

I'll go as far as saying as not only are the beat guys right about how it will unfold with Payne -- if Payne has another season like he's had for most of his career (aside from his one outlier season), I will say Peters is an absolute moron if he lets that contract ride with Payne. It would be up there with name that moronic moves Rivera made while he was here. Maybe worse.

 

[SkinsFTW]

But they pay him $15m to sit out with a fake injury and I can't imagine that sits well with them either.

You really think he's going to want to be sitting there doing nothing when the other receivers start making him look redundant while costing himself his next 50+M dollar contract?

He's going to show up, probably even signs whatever Peters has ready for him.