Two of the most widely-publicised ‘hold ins’ of the 2025 NFL offseason were resolved within 24 hours of each other, with Washington Commanders WR Terry McLaurin and Cincinnati Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson accepting revised contract offers.

McLaurin has been nursing an injury for most of the Commanders’ training camp and was unlikely to have taken part in much, if any, of the onfield activities had there been no contract dispute. However, with numbers that compare favourably to other receivers around the league, the prolific McLaurin remained a spectator while numbers of a different kind were being discussed. Such was his frustration with the Commanders appearing to drag their feet on the issue, the wideout went as far as requesting a trade, deeming that a franchise-record five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons — amongst other notable marks — warranted due reward.

Now, coming off one of his best statistical seasons with the arrival in Washington of quarterback Jayden Daniels, McLaurin has agreed terms on a contract extension that, according to NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo could be worth up to $96m over three years, with a $30m signing bonus included.

Hendrickson, meanwhile, ended his standoff with the Bengals by agreeing to a payrise for the 2025 season that reports suggest could take his salary as high as $30m. While the deal is just for one year, and could be seen by many as merely ‘pushing the can down the road’, Hendrickson has intimated that it is a sign of good faith and that both sides remain open to extending his stay in Cincinnati further into the future.

“We’re taking one day at a time,” Hendrickson — who is coming off back-to-back 17.5 sack campaigns — was quoted as telling the Bengals official website. “Moving forward, we’ll figure that out as it goes. For this season, to be given a raise I didn’t necessarily had to have been given, it’s a blessing to be in a position where I’ve been brought up to my peers. I love this city and, with what’s been happening the last couple of months, I’ve had time to reflect on what it means to me and how much I want to stay a Bengal for the 2025 season.”

Cincinnati, renowned as one of the most frugal NFL franchises, claimed to have been hamstrung by the large deals they needed to secure the services of receivers Ja’Marr Chase for the long term, just two years after handing QB Joe Burrow the most lucrative contract in league history.

“There’s a tremendous amount of respect for the back and forth we had and the countless times of trying to make things work on multiple-year extensions all the way down to the raise,” 30-year-old Hendrickson added. “This is what’s best for not only the 2025 Bengals, but also for my family personally. It’s a tremendous honour to get a raise and be respected for what I do.”