Thu May 22 16:50:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the text:
**McLaurin Skips Commanders’ Voluntary Offseason Program, Contract Extension Speculation Swirls**
**ASHBURN, VA** – Washington Commanders star wide receiver Terry McLaurin was absent from the team’s voluntary offseason program on Wednesday, according to a report by Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz. This comes after McLaurin had previously been a full participant, raising questions about whether the absence is linked to his ongoing pursuit of a contract extension.
McLaurin is entering the final year of his current deal and is slated to earn a base salary of $15.5 million this season. His current average annual salary of $23.2 million ranks 16th among NFL wide receivers, even behind teammate Deebo Samuel’s $23.85 million.
General Manager Adam Peters acknowledged in March that preliminary contract talks had begun between the Commanders and McLaurin’s representatives, but the current status of those negotiations remains unclear.
McLaurin is coming off a strong season in which he recorded a career-high 13 touchdowns and surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the fifth consecutive year (excluding his rookie year). He has been the team’s most consistent offensive weapon since being drafted in the third round in 2019.
This isn’t the first time McLaurin has skipped voluntary workouts during contract negotiations. He also missed the voluntary program in 2022 before ultimately signing a three-year, $69.6 million extension with the team in early July.
The start of Phase 3 of the offseason program next week will offer a clearer indication of whether McLaurin’s absence is a deliberate tactic to pressure the team towards a new deal. The Commanders organization has yet to comment on the matter.
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