Latest news with #Jayden Daniels
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
Paying Terry McLaurin big money may seem fair, but it's bad business
Terry McLaurin has been everything an NFL franchise could ask for — a homegrown star who has played through organizational chaos and quarterback futility without complaint, and remained a leader on and off the field. He is also coming off a career year as one of the most impactful wide receivers in the league, having played a huge role in the success of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and helping fuel the Washington Commanders' run to the NFC championship game.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Which Commanders' player is most important outside of Jayden Daniels?
Football is a team sport. It takes all 11 players on one side of the ball to get through the other 11 players on the field. Some positions on the field are considered more important than others, although none of them can function without the other. In this sport, the quarterback is considered the most important position on the field. He leads the team, calls the plays, points out coverage, audibles when the defense gives a different look, and is ultimately responsible for the team's overall efficiency. Still, the quarterback doesn't do it alone; he needs each and every player on the field to do their part to be successful. After quarterback, the most important position is debatable. So, CBS Sports decided to name each team's most important non-quarterback player. Not a position, but a specific player, who is most important to the success of the team. For the Washington Commanders, the answer might surprise you. Washington Commanders: OT Laremy TunsilIt was tough to choose a player for Washington, which needs to show more improvement on defense than offense. There are so many areas that need work, though, that it's tough to land on just one player as the most instead we came back around to the Commies' biggest (literally) offseason addition in Tunsil, who will be counted on to secure Jayden Daniels in the pocket. He had a relatively tough season in 2024, taking a ton of penalties, but at his best he is still an elite left tackle. The 6-foot-5, 316-pound Tunsil is a massive addition to the offensive line, and one who will be relied upon heavily by Jayden Daniels this fall. Daniels' ability to move around in the pocket and escape tight situations is impressive, but to protect his longevity, he needs to be able to stay in the pocket more often. Tunsil will provide that protection so that Daniels will feel less pressure to take off with the ball. Keeping Daniels healthy and on the field is how the Commanders will continue what they started, and Tunsil will be a big part of that this fall. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Outside of Jayden Daniels, who is Commanders' most important player?
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Commanders' Terry McLaurin unlikely to receive top-5 wide receiver pay
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin is vastly underrated, and has been since he entered the league in 2019. In 2022, he wanted a new contract and held out of team activities until he got one. Since then, the market for wide receivers has exploded, and with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, McLaurin is once again holding out for an extension. Both the Commanders and McLaurin want to get a deal done. Despite the multitude of quarterbacks throwing him the ball, he's remained consistent and reliable, recording five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. The biggest hangup here is what McLaurin is asking and what the Commanders are willing to pay. McLaurin deserves his payday, but CBS Sports doesn't think he'll receive top-five money. Terry McLaurin will be paid as a top-5 WR at start of yearOverreaction or reality: Overreaction McLaurin is one of the most underrated wide receivers in football. He had 44.8% of Washington's receiving touchdowns last season, the third-highest percentage for any player in the league. He was also second in the NFL in receiving touchdowns last season (13). Coming off five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, McLaurin put up numbers despite the myriad of quarterbacks that have thrown to him over the years. No coincidence McLaurin's touchdown numbers went from four the previous season to 13 with Jayden Daniels as his quarterback. Where McLaurin gets paid amongst the elite receivers is the question. He currently makes $23.3 million a season and watched the wide receiver market explode since he signed his extension in 2022. A pay raise is coming, but how much will the Commanders pay? A.J. Brown is the fifth-highest paid receiver at $32 million a season. McLaurin likely won't get that much, but $30 million a season (Tyreek Hill and Amon-Ra St. Brown make that much) is in the realm of possibility. McLaurin should get top-10 money for his position. Highly unlikely he'll be in the top-five range. Cincinnati Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase and Minnesota Vikings' Justin Jefferson are the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL, bringing in $40.25 million and $35 million (on average), respectively. If McLaurin were a couple of years younger, he might receive that top-five pay, but as he's turning 30 in September, he will likely land outside the top five. Advertisement Now if they would just get the deal done so everyone can move forward. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders' Terry McLaurin unlikely to receive top-5 wide receiver pay
