NFL training camp season is upon us, which means holdout/hold-in season is too as players seek new contracts.
While James Cook's hold-in was resolved Wednesday and Micah Parsons and the Cowboys are aggressively stuck in the mud, the Commanders and Terry McLaurin's standoff remains compelling on multiple fronts.
There's a Jayden Daniels clock ticking on the situation, as the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year is primed to continue the Commanders' ascent, but he needs McLaurin to help do it. McLaurin has over 1,000 yards receiving in five straight seasons, and had his best season last year with Daniels, catching 82 passes for 1,096 yards and 13 touchdowns, being named second-team All-Pro in the process.
On Wednesday's episode of Inside Coverage, Yahoo Sports Senior NFL Reporter Charles Robinson shed light on how the negotiation might have gotten off on the wrong foot early.
"The way I understand it, when negotiations first opened, I think the Commanders were a little stunned by initially what Terry McLaurin and his camp were really gunning for," Robinson said.
So what do McLaurin and his camp want?
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"Everyone's being careful about not saying what the initial number was, but I will say it was ... high enough that it almost completely broke down conversation instantaneously between the two parties," Robinson said. " I think the Commanders were stunned at, initially, what the ask was.
"And to me, the inference is, this was like, nearly top tier, Tier 1 money. So, are we talking $35 million annual average value? Are we talking beyond 35? Are we talking creeping up to 40?
Robinson said he thinks the negotiation got to the point where McLaurin was asking for something similar to DK Metcalf's contract with the Steelers, which averaged $33 million a year and included $60 million guaranteed.
With certain exceptions like Tyreek Hill and Davante Adams, few wide receivers have been productive after signing big contracts entering or after their age-30 season. McLaurin turns 30 in September.
So where does this all settle out?
"I think if it can get to $27 million to $28 million in annual average value," Robinson said, "if you're getting somewhere between $50 and $60 million in guaranteed money, I don't think either side would be happy, but I think it is the middle ground that gets those two together."
Robinson added he spoke to a source who knows Commanders general manager Adam Peters really well. His thoughts?
"I think people are going to find out a lot about Adam Peters right now, because I do not like negotiating with him," Robinson said, paraphrasing his source. "He has an edge to him that people I think don't necessarily understand, and they're going to see that now in this negotiation."
It remains to be seen how soon McLaurin and the Commanders can get there. For now, based on Robinson's reporting, we'll tag them as far apart.
How close, meanwhile, are the rest of high-profile contract standoffs to resolving?
Dallas Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons: Kinda far
"I think it's unbelievable that there have been zero contract talks between Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys," ESPN's Adam Schefter said Monday. "There has been no progress and you have to wonder where this is going." That doesn't sound like a deal is close. This should be an open-and-shut negotiation. Parsons is 26, younger than all the other market-resetting pass rushers who've recently agreed to new deals. He can make a solid argument he's better than all of them. And the Cowboys' defense desperately needs him. Dallas has a history of getting deals done late, so we're leaning on that here, but boy is it getting shaky as Parsons continues to sit out.
Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson: Close
Did you watch the same preseason opener we did? Where the Eagles' backups on offense tore through the Bengals' starters on defense? Yeah. Couple that with Hendrickson remaining engaged while holding in, and we're calling this one close. The Bengals' need is clear as day.
San Francisco 49ers WR Jauan Jennings: Close
We'll tag this one as "close" too, considering head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated Monday that Brandon Aiyuk likely won't play until a month into the season, at least. There was also yet another injury to the 49ers' wide receiver room this week. Jennings reportedly did a light workout Monday, but hasn't practiced since reportedly aggravating a calf injury on July 27 and is seeking a new contract. With the 49ers running thin at the position, it might motivate a deal to be done soon.
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