Hall of Fame receiver calls out Commanders to pay McLaurin

USA Today

3 hours ago

Hall of Fame receiver calls out Commanders to pay McLaurin
One of the greatest receivers in NFL history has a message for the Washington Commanders: 'Pay the man.'
Calvin Johnson, who played nine NFL seasons with the Detroit Lions, was an absolute physical specimen and beast of a wide receiver (6-5, 237). A few days ago, the Hall of Fame receiver who was inducted in 2021, as a guest on the "Up & Adams" show with Kay Adams, freely vocalized his support of Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin, who is in the middle of a contract dispute.
'Pay the man,' Johnson said of McLaurin. 'The man has been nothing but consistent. I don't know Terry very well, but from afar, the guy has been nothing but consistent for that organization. He's been a staple there. He plays well. He steps up in big games. I love watching the kid because he's always making plays. Come on, Magic [Johnson], pay the man!'
Johnson knows something about great receiver play. He led the NFL two seasons (2011, 2012) in receiving yardage, once in receptions during a season (2012), and once in receiving touchdowns (2008) and was a 3X 1st Team All-Pro.
Yet, he did reveal he is very confused regarding Earvin "Magic" Johnson's role with the Commanders. Johnson is actually only believed to be about a four percent minority owner and in two seasons has yet to be involved in football decisions for the Commanders.
However, Calvin Johnson is correct about McLaurin having been a very consistent receiver, a consistent leader for the locker room, and has stepped up with big plays in big games, having endured very inconsistent quarterback play from the 2019 through 2023 seasons, until the arrival of QB Jayden Daniels.
However, perhaps another word of caution might be in order? I've noticed commentators, players, and the fan base often making comments that reveal those commenting almost invariably assume McLaurin is in the right and the Commanders are in the wrong in this new contract dispute.
Yes, McLaurin did, in fact, lead the Commanders in 2024 in receiving targets, receptions, yards receiving, yards per reception, first downs, and touchdowns. Yes, that's all true.
Yes, McLaurin has earned a raise, no question.
Yet, how much is McLaurin asking for in this raise?
Might McLaurin's agent be currently unrealistic, asking for far too much?
Earning a raise is one thing, but isn't it much too easy for a player, in this case, McLaurin, to focus on what their agent says they deserve? When in reality, the Commanders are thinking about the salary cap for the next three years if they sign McLaurin for the 2026-2028 seasons?
Is McLaurin demanding a top-five WR salary? Terry's a good receiver, a very good one. But let's be realistic here. How can anyone think logically and objectively that McLaurin is a top-five NFL receiver?
Perhaps McLaurin is demanding too many years on the deal, or is there too much guaranteed money he wants? We just don't know any of the actual numbers, so how can we, or why would we form a strong opinion?
How much role does having to sign Jayden Daniels to a multi-year deal (in a couple of seasons) worth $60M to $70M play in these current negotiations with McLaurin?
So, rather than quickly siding with either party, seeing we do not have any actual numbers at this point, might it not be wiser to wait and see what McLaurin is demanding and what the Commanders have offered?