Terry McLaurin signs 3-year, $96 million deal with Commanders

The Washington Commanders locked down their star wideout Terry McLaurin on Monday, agreeing to a three-year extension reportedly worth up to $96 million, per ESPN. 

The deal includes a hefty $30 million signing bonus and officially brings an end to his camp hold-in, ensuring he’ll be suited up for the season opener against the Giants.

McLaurin had been sidelined throughout training camp as negotiations dragged on, with talks at times looking like they might completely fall apart. Several teams circled the situation, most notably the Pittsburgh Steelers, who reached out to gauge both his availability and his price tag. 

While Washington had no desire to part ways with their top receiver, Pittsburgh’s interest highlighted just how highly McLaurin was valued around the league.

With the extension finalized, the Steelers will have to look elsewhere as they continue their hunt for another starting-caliber target to pair alongside DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin III. Pittsburgh has explored multiple avenues this offseason, contacting the Buccaneers and Saints while also hosting former Jaguar Gabe Davis for two separate visits.

Whether they actually pull the trigger on a new addition before Week 1 remains to be seen, but one thing's clear—the Steelers are leaving no stone unturned. McLaurin may have been their dream signing all summer, but with him off the market, the black and gold will need to shift gears quickly.

For a while, it felt like the standoff had no end in sight, fueling a storm of trade chatter as reporters scrambled to speculate on possible destinations for one of the league’s most reliable yet underrated receivers.

Now that Terry McLaurin is secured for the long haul, quarterback Jayden Daniels and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury must be breathing easier—and probably wearing big smiles knowing their top weapon is locked in.

Keeping McLaurin was a massive win for Washington. Had a deal fallen through and a trade materialized, the entire offensive blueprint would have taken a massive hit. Instead, his return ensures stability and gives the Commanders the chance to sharpen their scheme around their fresh big-name additions, Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel, as they push to join the conversation among legitimate Super Bowl hopefuls.