Veterans of the Washington Commanders reported to training camp on Tuesday, but wide receiver Terry McLaurin was absent as he seeks a new contract. McLaurin, entering the final season of a three-year, $68.2 million contract extension, has established himself as a key player over the past five seasons, recording at least 77 receptions and 1,002 receiving yards each year since entering the league.

In the previous season, McLaurin had a standout performance, tallying 82 catches for 1,096 yards and 13 touchdowns, contributing significantly to the Commanders' successful run to the NFC Championship Game, the team's first appearance in that matchup since 1991. His absence from training camp aligns with earlier comments he made to reporters, where he expressed that the absence of progress in contract discussions made it difficult for him to envision participating in the camp activities.

Despite his absence, McLaurin has expressed a desire to remain with the Commanders and is not seeking a trade. He emphasized the importance of being recognized for his contributions, stating that the current market reflects what players of his caliber deserve. Commanders General Manager Adam Peters acknowledged McLaurin's value to the team during a pre-training camp press conference, indicating that the organization is keen to continue discussions regarding a new deal. While McLaurin's holdout is not unprecedented among star players, the outcome of these negotiations remains uncertain as training camp progresses.