Washington Commanders News

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin is entering the final year of his deal and is a candidate to be a holdout or hold-in at training camp this summer. McLaurin has five straight 1,000-yard seasons under his belt and has at least 900 receiving yards in each of his six years in the NFL, but The Athletic's Mike Jones writes that he's unlikely to land a deal that rivals that of Bengals wideout Ja'Marr Chase, who got four years and $161 million. However, it's possible that McLaurin tops the four-year, $115 million deal the Bengals gave receiver Tee Higgins. The 29-year-old had a strong 23.2% target share last year and excelled with impressive rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, also scoring a career-high 13 touchdowns. McLaurin will see regression in the TD department, but with Daniels looking like an elite QB, McLaurin is now in WR2 territory in fantasy.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin is still "not happy" with where things stand regarding a new contract. This situation has been ongoing for months, so this is nothing new. Still, with training camp right around the corner, the franchise is running a greater risk of a holdout situation if the wideout doesn't get a pay increase. He is coming off his best season since entering the National Football League, ending the 2024 campaign with 1,096 yards and 13 touchdowns off 82 receptions. McLaurin is currently in line to make $15.5 million this season. However, it will presumably take well over $30 million a year to retain his services moving forward. If McLaurin isn't on the field, it won't be good news for Jayden Daniels, the 2024 NFL Rookie of the Year. McLaurin's potential absence from training camp could also cause his fantasy stock to fall.

The Washington Commanders' coaching staff noticed that defensive tackle Daron Payne showed more leadership and was more outgoing around the building this offseason, per ESPN's John Keim. Head coach Dan Quinn said Payne had "laser focus" this spring. "He just looks really good, really intent-ful. You can really see him taking that leadership role to the next step. He's been the guy that's really just stood out to me the most from that standpoint," defensive coordinator Joe Whitt said. The 28-year-old had 11.5 sacks in a contract year in 2022 but has posted eight total sacks the last two seasons. He had 96 pass-rush wins and a win rate of 11.6% from 2020-22, but he's recorded just 39 wins and a 7.6% win rate the last two seasons. Washington needs Payne to be more productive in 2025, and if he isn't, he could be cut next offseason for $16 million in savings.

ESPN's Adam Schefter said on The Pat McAfee Show on Monday that there is no update on contract talks between the Washington Commanders and wide receiver Terry McLaurin, "and that's the problem." "There is quite a gap between what both sides want right now and they have not made any progress," Schefter said. Schefter goes on to say that he'd be surprised if the Commanders look to move on from McLaurin via a trade, regardless of how disgruntled the wideout might be. McLaurin is entering the final season of a three-year extension he signed in 2022 and is looking for a hefty extension after posting his fifth straight 1,000-yard season with a career-high 13 touchdowns in 2024. He's reportedly seeking a deal that would pay him around $30 million a year, but the Commanders seem hesitant to give that to a receiver that will turn 30 this September. In fantasy, McLaurin is a solid WR2 target going into 2025.

The belief is that Washington Commanders rookie first-round offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. could move to left tackle in the long term. However, he'll play right tackle for now, according to ESPN's John Keim. The Commanders have yet to hand him the job, but they are very excited about the 21-year-old after they took him 29th overall back in April's NFL draft. Conerly mostly worked with the second-team offense in spring workouts, but the Commanders are confident after showing good footwork and an ability to play in space. "He's going to be a dog," offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil said. "Just the way he moves, the way he bends, athletic, smart, very intelligent. He has all the tools to be a damn good player in this league." He makes up for his short arms with plenty of athleticism, but the Oregon product will be competing with Brandon Coleman at right tackle this summer.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is pretty excited to work with new wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. in 2025, and the two have already developed some nice chemistry this offseason. "I'm excited to throw him a little screen and hopefully on the stat sheet it says a touchdown for 80 yards and I didn't have to do any of the work," Daniels said while laughing. Samuel once again battled through injuries in a 2024 campaign that saw him catch just 51 passes for 670 yards and three touchdowns on 81 targets while the Niners offense fell apart without running back Christian McCaffrey. The 29-year-old will be an interesting fit in Kliff Kingsbury's offense, but it's quite possible Samuel's physical style of play has taken a toll on him and caused him to lose a step. Samuel is going to need to be productive after the catch to retain value in fantasy. RotoBaller has him ranked as the WR43 going into the 2025 season.

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin is not "in a great place" with the team regarding a new deal, per Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer. The wideout is entering the last season of a three-year, $68.2 million contract he signed in 2022. Most assumed this situation would have been sorted out by now. However, that doesn't appear to be the case. McLaurin certainly deserves a pay increase, considering he had a career-high 13 touchdowns last season while adding 82 grabs for 1,096 yards. This will be a hot topic of discussion for fantasy managers moving ahead. Currently, McLaurin is expected to be on the field come Week 1, although that could change depending on how things go during training camp. Without question, 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels hopes he'll be out there. If not, Daniels will need to move even quicker to build chemistry with new receiver Deebo Samuel Sr., who was traded from the 49ers back in March.

Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. is slated to play in his first game without a San Francisco 49ers uniform in September after he was acquired by Washington this offseason for a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The second-round pick out of South Carolina in 2019 has failed to match his monster 2021 season, when he racked up over 1,700 total yards and 14 touchdowns. In the three seasons following, he has averaged 13.6 games played, 731.3 receiving yards, 197.6 rushing yards, and seven touchdowns. He hasn't been the explosive playmaker we saw early in his career, which has led to many believing he could be well past his prime, thanks to injuries and a lack of staying in shape. However, head coach Dan Quinn is not concerned with his speed or explosiveness. "Somewhere along the way, I'd forgotten until [he was] out here how fast he is," Quinn said. "I can remember one time he just ran by somebody down the field on a deep ball, and I was like, 'Yeah, I forgot about that.' So, it didn't surprise me." He also called Samuel one of the fastest players on the roster. Entering 2025, Samuel has a wide range of outcomes behind No. 1 wide receiver, Terry McLaurin, who is currently seeking a new contract. Samuel is likely to have boom weeks, but he may no longer going to be a consistent and reliable weekly fantasy football producer. That said, a significant bounceback year is also a possibility.

Washington Commanders right guard Sam Cosmi (knee) was on the field last week working with athletic trainers, performing agility work and doing light 40-yard jogs after suffering a torn ACL in the Divisional playoff victory over the Detroit Lions. There's no timetable for Cosmi's return, but Washington is optimistic about his recovery. "He's hitting all the benchmarks but when does he get there? I don't know...we're not going to miss one step with him," head coach Dan Quinn said. Nick Allegretti, who started at left guard last year, is currently being tasked with filling in for Cosmi on the right side of the offensive line. Brandon Coleman is now filling in at left guard. Cosmi, the team's former second-round pick (51st overall) in 2021 out of Texas started all 17 regular-season games each of the last two years, but he probably won't be able to play until midseason in 2025.

After being carted from mandatory minicamp practice on Wednesday with an undisclosed injury, Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown (undisclosed) is undergoing an MRI exam on Thursday, according to head coach Dan Quinn. The good news is that Brown was able to walk off the field before being carted to the locker room, but it's unclear what exactly his injury is or how much time he might miss. We should have answers soon. The bad news is that the 29-year-old's injury was of the non-contact variety, which typically is bad news for a football player. If it's a significant injury, Luke McCaffrey, K.J. Osborn, Jaylin Lane and Michael Gallup (hamstring) would have additional opportunities in the competition for the No. 3 role in D.C. behind Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel Sr. Even at full health, Brown isn't really an option for fantasy managers in 12-team leagues.

Washington Commanders wide receiver Michael Gallup (hamstring) is dealing with a hamstring strain that has kept him off the field for the first two days of mandatory minicamp this week, a source told The Washington Post's Nicki Jhabvala. Gallup spent the first six years of his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys after they selected him in the third round (81st overall) in 2018 out of Colorado State before signing with the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. The 29-year-old then abruptly retired and didn't play at all in 2024. He's making a comeback back in the NFC East, but Gallup is facing an uphill battle for playing time in D.C. behind Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel Sr., Noah Brown (undisclosed), K.J. Osborn and Luke McCaffrey. Gallup's hamstring injury isn't helping his cause in minicamp. He's off the fantasy radar for now.

Washington Commanders tight end Ben Sinnott has stood out during offseason practices, according to head coach Dan Quinn. The Commanders selected Sinnott in the second round (53rd overall) in last year's draft out of Kansas State, but he was buried on the depth chart all year and caught only five passes for 28 yards and a touchdown in 17 regular-season games (two starts) in his first year in the NFL. The 22-year-old may be standing out this offseason, but he'll have a long way to go to find a bigger role in Washington's passing attack as long as veteran TE Zach Ertz stays healthy. There's also John Bates to contend with if Ertz were to miss any time. Sinnott does have the size and speed to be worth watching if he does get a bigger opportunity, but for now, he's off the radar in standard-sized fantasy leagues.

Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown (undisclosed) was carted off the field during mandatory minicamp practice on Wednesday with an undisclosed injury, according to The Washington Post's Nicki Jhabvala. Brown was able to walk off the field slowly under his own power before being carted to the locker room, but it's unclear what the severity of his injury is at this moment. The 29-year-old pass-catcher caught 35 of his 56 targets for 453 yards and one touchdown in 11 games (nine starts) in his first year with Washington last year and figures to open the 2025 campaign as the WR3 behind Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel Sr. if he's fully healthy. Unfortunately, that role isn't going to make the former seventh-rounder (239th overall) by the Dallas Cowboys in 2017 fantasy relevant in standard 12-team fantasy leagues.

Washington Commanders All-Pro wide receiver Terry McLaurin is not attending mandatory minicamp this week, reports FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. McLaurin has made it clear to the team that he's not happy with the lack of progress on a long-term deal and also left voluntary workouts last week unexpectedly after initially attending OTAs. The 29-year-old is heading into the final year of his three-year, $68.2 million deal and is coming off his fifth straight 1,000-yard receiving season in which he also had a career-high 13 touchdowns in 17 regular-season starts as quarterback Jayden Daniels' top target. The Daniels McLaurin pairing should continue to produce, but fantasy managers will want to expect touchdown regression, and the addition of Deebo Samuel Sr. could also change the dynamic of Washington's offense. Target McLaurin as a high-end WR2 in fantasy this fall.

Washington Commanders All-Pro wide receiver Terry McLaurin has made it clear to the team that he's frustrated with the lack of progress on a potential long-term contract extension, sources tell FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. After initially attending voluntary organized team activities, McLaurin unexpectedly left the workouts, and it remains to be seen whether he'll report for mandatory minicamp this month. Talks have been minimal on an extension with the 29-year-old heading into the final year of his three-year, $68.2 million contract. Schultz write that it's a surprise that Washington hasn't prioritized a new deal for McLaurin so that he can continue developing chemistry with second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels. McLaurin's fantasy stock is on the rise after an 82-1,096-13 line in 17 regular-season games with Daniels in 2024, but a lengthy holdout could negatively impact his start to the 2025 campaign. Stay tuned.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels immediately established himself as one of the NFL's top QBs in his first season in the league in 2024, but the Commanders expect him to be even better in his sophomore season. "Just watching him move around, he's not thinking as much, he's playing fast and letting his natural gifts kind of take over, and that's what we want to see. I expect him to take a big jump," offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said. The second overall pick was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year after throwing for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns and rushing for another 891 yards and six touchdowns while leading the team to a 12-5 record and an appearance in the NFC Championship game. Washington bolstered their offensive line in front of Daniels this offseason and added receiver Deebo Samuel Jr. Daniels will be a top-five fantasy QB in upcoming drafts.

Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury noted via the team's transcript last week that running back Brian Robinson Jr.'s focus this offseason has been "great." "Yeah, he's been really focused," said Kingsbury. "B-Rob's a guy who has played an incredibly high level....He knows what this year means to him and can mean to us when he plays at that level." The Commanders invested in their offense heavily this offseason -- fortifying their offensive front and the weapons around budding superstar Jayden Daniels. However, the running back room went essentially unchanged aside from the addition of seventh-round teammate Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Backfield mate Austin Ekeler will siphon away some touches, but the Alabama product should receive strong volume this season. It will be interesting to see how the team deploys Deebo Samuel Sr., but if he doesn't absorb too many carries, Robinson Jr. should provide decent value.

Rookie offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. and the Washington Commanders have agreed to a four-year, $15.68 million contract. The team selected the Oregon product No. 29 overall in April's draft to help shore up second-year quarterback Jayden Daniel's front side off the edge. Conerly Jr. started 14 games in each of his final two seasons as a Duck, boasting first-team All-Big Ten honors in his final campaign. Additionally, he was a finalist for the Joe Moore Award (nation's top OL). The 21-year-old excels in both the passing and rushing game, but does his best work when protecting his QB. In 2024, Conerly Jr. yielded just five pressures and one sack with none after the season's second week. He profiles to develop into a prototypical tackle eventually.

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin was absent for voluntary organized team activities this week, according to The Washington Post's Nicki Jhabvala. The All-Pro wideout had been a full participant previously but is entering the final year of his three-year, $68.2 million contract that he signed in 2022. The 29-year-old is coming off a huge season in 2024 in which he caught 82 passes for 1,096 yards and 13 touchdowns in 17 regular-season games, so he's most likely angling for a new contract. General manager Adam Peters said in March that the organization would likely to work something out with McLaurin before the start of the 2025 regular season, but it remains to be seen if it will actually happen. TD regression is expected for McLaurin, and Deebo Samuel Sr. will take some targets away, but he will be a fine WR2 target going into fantasy drafts this fall.

Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said based on the eye test, that second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels has some put on some weight this offseason. "I'm sure he's a little thicker than he was," Kingsbury said. There was no mandate from the team for Daniels to bulk up after an impressive rookie season in which the 24-year-old threw for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 17 regular-season starts while leading the team to an NFC Championship appearance. Despite putting on some good weight, fantasy managers shouldn't be too worried that it will negatively affect Daniels' scrambling abilities after he rushed for 891 yards and six touchdowns in the regular season in 2024. After his big rookie season, Daniels has vaulted quickly into top-five status among QBs in fantasy.