UKHTTC thoughts: McLaurin Commits to the new era

And breathe.

History has demonstrated that, for the Washington NFL franchise, the avoidance of drama has often been difficult.

Whether that be player retention related such as the protracted Brandon Scherff and Kirk Cousins contract sagas and subsequent tag purgatory, or off-field, where you can take your pick from a variety of a strategic missteps and high-profile misdemeanours.

Yesterday, however, was one of those rare colourful rainbow days for the burgundy & gold, with popular WR Terry McLaurin finding his very own pot of gold in the shape of a three-year extension worth $23.3 million per year.

McLaurin will pocket $53.15 million in guarantees, $34.6 million fully guaranteed upon signing, and a $28 million signing bonus.

The news is welcome for several reasons.

The first, and most obvious is that Terry McLaurin is a very good and proven receiver in the National Football League.

All the WR1 traits are there: quickness, great hands, good routes, toughness, and irreplaceable standout leadership in the locker room. McLaurin has amassed 3090 yards playing with a variety of QBs who have ranged from outright bad to, at best, unspectacular.

The extension also provides some evidence that the much-vaunted foundation to improve the culture in D.C have some base in reality. After witnessing several stars walk away from Washington over the last few seasons, it is telling that Washington have managed to retain the services of a key franchise face for the new Commanders era.

If there had been a failure to extend McLaurin, this would have been a real downbeat start for the new QB in town, Carson Wentz. Head Coach Ron Rivera is a big admirer of Wentz, and the former Eagle and Colt can now get to work in earnest and build up the vital understanding required between a QB1 and WR1 in the NFL.

The receiving core in Washington will now be led, at least medium term, by a high character individual who might well be a Washington guy for life.

On paper, McLaurin, first round rookie Jahan Dotson and the electricity out the backfield provided by Antonio Gibson and JD McKissic might point to this being the most exciting set of offensive weapons since the time of Pierre Garçon, DeSean Jackson and Jordan Reed.

Might it all come together in Season 3 for Rivera? The expectation bar was just raised a little higher with this deserved contract for Scary Terry.