No one represents the Washington Commanders better than wide receiver Terry McLaurin. So, it was a surprise last offseason when McLaurin and the Commanders were at odds over his contract. While the two sides eventually settled, agreeing to a new three-year extension worth $87 million, the contract wasn’t as it seemed.

Essentially, this new contract was far from what McLaurin’s representatives were looking for. While he received over $44 million guaranteed, the Commanders could easily move on from McLaurin in 2027. Washington’s hesitation was McLaurin’s age: he would be 30 in September. McLaurin’s argument was that he wasn’t your typical 30 or older receiver. He was right. In his six-year career, he’d only missed three games and hadn’t missed one since 2020.

Then, last season happened. In Week 3, McLaurin suffered a quad injury and missed the next four games. He returned in Week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs, made two phenomenal catches, including a touchdown, but reinjured the quad and missed three more games. McLaurin finished the season with career lows in every category, with 38 receptions for 582 yards and three touchdowns.

The 2025 season can be chalked up as a lost one for the entire team. Quarterback Jayden Daniels missed 10 games, finishing only four. But, did McLaurin’s injury prove the Commanders were right in their hesitate to pay him as one of the NFL’s best receivers?

McLaurin was excellent when he played. When he returned to the lineup, he was vintage Terry McLaurin, despite not having a ton of help around him. That’s good news heading into 2026.

This offseason, the Commanders will again look to bring in McLaurin some help. Washington will be in the market for a starting wide receiver to pair with McLaurin. Fantasy football analyst Matthew Berry was in Indianapolis last week and shared some nuggets he heard about the Commanders.

Could this be his last year in Washington?

The team will look to add to the wide receiver room with an emphasis on speed and don’t be surprised if 2026 is Terry McLaurin’s last year with the team. To that end, one source told me that while almost everyone expects Washington to go defense in the first round this year, “If the top three edge guys are all gone by No. 7, don’t be surprised if the Commanders take Carnell Tate.”

It’s almost unfathomable to think the 2026 season could be his last season in Washington. However, he has a $34 million cap number in 2027, rising to $39.5 million in 2028. Of course, if McLaurin returns to his 2024 form, plays in every game, and goes over 1,000 yards again, you’d like to believe the two sides would figure something out.

As far as Berry’s mention of Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate, that is more interesting information. There is a good chance that the top three edge rushers are gone. If Tate is the pick and shows enough as a rookie, it could spell the end of McLaurin’s time in Washington.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Could 2026 be Terry McLaurin’s last year in DC?