Commanders' Rivera: Negotiations with McLaurin headed in 'right direction'

Terry McLaurin is skipping mandatory minicamp, but Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera remains confident the team can strike a deal with the wide receiver.

"I believe (talks are) headed in the right direction," Rivera said Tuesday ahead of the three-day workout session, according to ESPN's John Keim.

Rivera noted that Washington began extension negotiations with McLaurin earlier than it did with defensive tackle Jonathan Allen last year, and Allen signed his long-term deal before the start of training camp.

"We understand what Terry is trying to do. We want him here. He's going to be here," Rivera said. "We believe in him as a football player."

A player who misses all three days of minicamp can be fined a total of $93,085.

McLaurin is seeking an extension amid a booming market for receivers this offseason. Tyreek Hill and Davante Adams reset the market with extensions worth $30 million and $28 million per season, respectively.

Meanwhile, A.J. Brown, whom the Tennessee Titans selected in the same draft (2019) as McLaurin, received a four-year, $100-million extension after being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles during April's draft.

DK Metcalf and Deebo Samuel, two other 2019 draft picks, are also pushing for new deals. Metcalf opted to stay away from the Seattle Seahawks' minicamp, while Samuel attended the San Franciso 49ers' workouts.

McLaurin is entering the final year of his rookie deal, worth $2.7 million.

The 26-year-old is coming off his second straight 1,000-yard season despite working with inconsistent quarterback play through his first three years.