Terry McLaurin was already the Washington Commanders’ No. 1 wide receiver, but he believes his new three-year, $96 million contract extension that ended his hold-in cements his place among the entire league’s top pass-catchers.

“I do,” he told reporters Wednesday when asked if he thinks the extension puts him among the best receivers in the NFL. “It gives me the ability to stay somewhere I love but also continue to achieve things and play at a high level and prove that I’m worth what I signed for.”

He also said “I did” when asked if he got what he wanted from the contract.

McLaurin’s status was the biggest storyline for the Commanders throughout training camp and the preseason, especially after he helped lead the team to last season’s NFC Championship Game. 

He and Jayden Daniels had clear chemistry in the quarterback’s rookie year, and having the go-to option on the field figured to be critical if he is going to take a leap in his second year.

McLaurin might not have the same numbers as someone like Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson on a yearly basis, but he has been nothing but consistent since the Commanders selected him in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft.

The Ohio State product put up 919 receiving yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie, which is the only one of his six years in the NFL he failed to reach the 1,000-yard mark. What’s more, he put up those numbers with a rotating cast of quarterbacks that included Case Keenum, Alex Smith, Dwayne Haskins, Kyle Allen, Taylor Heinicke, Carson Wentz and Sam Howell.

If he can stay healthy and continue to develop that chemistry with a potentially elite quarterback in Daniels, he may tally even better numbers moving forward even though he turns 30 years old next month.

After all, McLaurin posted a career-best 13 touchdown catches last year to go with 1,096 receiving yards. That was good enough to be named to his second career Pro Bowl and earn this new contract.

He also doesn’t seem too worried about the time he missed during his hold-in and said, “I feel great. They’re doing a great job of getting me acclimated to football shape … but I know the type of work I put in to get ready.”

That work will be put to the test in the season opener on Sept. 7 against the New York Giants as he attempts to live up to the expectations that come with his new deal.