Terry McLaurin's July 2025 contract holdout casts a shadow over Commanders' camp. Can GM Adam Peters sign the star and keep Super Bowl hopes alive?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The air in Ashburn should be electric. Coming off an NFC Championship appearance, the Washington Commanders opened training camp Wednesday with a roster retooled for a Super Bowl run. But the most important player from the last five years wasn't there. Star wide receiver Terry McLaurin is officially holding out, turning the page on a new season with a chapter of high-stakes contract drama that has the fanbase holding its collective breath.
McLaurin faces $50,000 in daily fines for his absence, a stark reminder of the financial stakes in this contract stalemate.
The news is official: Terry McLaurin is a training camp holdout. With just one year left on his deal, the second-team All-Pro receiver and undisputed heart of the offense is seeking a new contract that reflects his elite status. For five straight seasons, he's been the team's leading receiver, a model of consistency through coaching changes and quarterback carousels. Now, he's leveraging that importance. While GM Adam Peters expressed a desire to 'work this out,' reports describe the situation as a stalemate. For a team with championship aspirations, having their top offensive weapon and team captain absent is a significant problem with no immediate solution in sight.
While McLaurin's absence stings, the excitement around the new offensive additions is palpable. All eyes are on Deebo Samuel, the versatile 'wide back' acquired to be a dynamic weapon for QB Jayden Daniels. Despite some offseason chatter about his speed, teammates report he looks explosive. Anchoring the offensive line is perennial Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who coaches already praise for his leadership. The mission is clear: surround Daniels with elite talent to get over the NFC title game hump. The integration of Samuel and Tunsil is paramount to that goal.
On the other side of the ball, a defensive overhaul is underway. After a disappointing 2024, DC Joe Whitt Jr. and HC Dan Quinn have new pieces to mold. With Jonathan Allen gone, the defensive interior will feature a rotation of Javon Kinlaw, Eddie Goldman, and Sheldon Day. The secondary, a major weakness last year, gets a boost from veteran Jonathan Jones and a promising rookie. In a bit of good news, the team locked up second-round pick Trey Amos, signing the cornerback to his rookie deal and avoiding another holdout. Amos is expected to immediately challenge Jones for the starting CB2 spot opposite a hopefully healthy Marshon Lattimore, making that one of camp's most critical battles.
As if the on-field drama wasn't enough, a political firestorm is brewing over the team's future home. President Donald Trump has publicly threatened to block federal approval for the Commanders' planned stadium at the RFK site unless the organization reverts to its former 'Redskins' name. The threat puts a major wrench in the plans announced by the team and the D.C. government. The Commanders have stood firm, reiterating they have no intention of changing their name back, setting up a potential showdown that could impact the franchise for decades to come.
Day one of camp has laid the groundwork for a season of immense pressure and potential. The front office's most urgent task is resolving the McLaurin situation before it fractures the locker room. Simultaneously, coaches must integrate a host of new, high-profile players and forge a new defensive identity. With the preseason opener against the Patriots on the horizon and political battles brewing off the field, the Commanders' path back to the NFC Championship looks anything but simple.
