Terry McLaurin commerce request: Ought to the Commanders pay up?

Adam Peters’ honeymoon in Washington ended on Thursday night. Whereas the overall supervisor of the Commanders has deservedly been lauded for his work in rebuilding a moribund franchise and getting all of it the way in which again to the NFC Championship Game in his first season in cost, Thursday’s trade request from star huge receiver Terry McLaurin is the primary actual battle of the Peters period.

Whereas the Commanders have moved on from veterans Kendall Fuller and Jonathan Allen throughout Peters’ two offseasons in cost, McLaurin is likely to be the preferred holdover from the pre-Jayden Daniels days. Along with being one of many remaining gamers who endured former crew proprietor Daniel Snyder’s final years with the group, McLaurin was persistently productive regardless of enjoying with a string of quarterbacks who both didn’t pan out or shortly suffered career-altering accidents.

Terry McLaurin’s quarterbacks, 2019-2023 (from @pfref). And this does not even embody Ryan Fitzpatrick’s one sport because the starter. pic.twitter.com/RhRwapQ7Ga

— Invoice Barnwell (@billbarnwell) August 1, 2025

If there’s anybody within the constructing who deserves the advantage of the doubt and a reward for what he has endured to get so far, it is McLaurin, who has been thought to be a frontrunner and constructive presence within the constructing since he was drafted in Spherical 3 in 2019. And but, after a whole offseason to barter, McLaurin’s holdout after which “maintain in” after reporting to camp on July 27 hasn’t led to any type of decision, main the two-time Professional Bowler to request a commerce.

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I am going to begin with what’s apparent: The Commanders’ offense appears to be like very completely different with out its high wideout. I had them thirteenth in my playmaker rankings earlier this offseason, however that was with McLaurin as their most precious possibility. Daniels posted a Total QBR of 73.8 with him on the sphere final season, however that fell to 63.0 throughout 90 dropbacks with out him.

Taking McLaurin out of the lineup pushes Deebo Samuel into the highest wideout position, and whereas Samuel will be overwhelming at his greatest, he has struggled with inconsistent play, drops and accidents throughout his profession. Noah Brown and Michael Gallup, who was out of the league in 2024, could be competing for extra work on the skin. Younger draftees comparable to Luke McCaffrey and rookie Jaylin Lane would go from being depth gamers to potential starters. All the huge receiver rotation could be stretched about one spot too far within the lineup, which is smart; the Commanders constructed this crew anticipating McLaurin to be the No. 1.

Most Commanders followers need this to be resolved as shortly as potential with a brand new deal for McLaurin. However different groups throughout the league would possibly need to get a shot at touchdown one of many league’s greatest wideouts. How will all of this play out? Why is there such an deadlock? What can the Commanders do to bridge that hole? And in the event that they do resolve that there isn’t any resolution, what would a commerce seem like? Let’s hit these subjects and break down the McLaurin scenario.

Bounce to a bit:
Why both sides can’t find an agreement
Four ways this situation can go without a trade
What could Washington get for him?
Three teams that make sense in a trade

What’s preserving the Commanders and McLaurin from agreeing to a brand new deal?

Honest worth and the way age impacts the concept of what NFL gamers are value. Groups are paying extra consideration to getting old curves and the way dangerous it may be to make main investments in gamers as they strategy and cross age 30. When there was a disconnect between a participant’s worth and the strikes groups have made in recent times, it has nearly at all times been with well-known veterans who’re ending their second contracts and in search of third offers or vital new ensures as they close to 30 years previous.

That is the place we’re with McLaurin, who turns 30 in September. He’s heading into the ultimate yr of his second contract with the Commanders, a three-year extension that was designed to get him to a 3rd contract earlier than turning 30. With a lot of the bonus cash for that contract paid out in earlier years, he’s to make $19.9 million in 2025, $2.8 million of which was already paid in March.

In the meantime, the Commanders have made trades this offseason so as to add Samuel and Laremy Tunsil to their offense. Whereas the competitor in McLaurin should absolutely be enthusiastic about having gifted veterans becoming a member of the group, Peters dedicated $17.5 million to Samuel and $21.4 million to Tunsil as a part of these offers. Tunsil can also be more likely to earn an extension after the Peters despatched vital draft capital to the Texans to amass the franchise left sort out, one that would come earlier than the Commanders deal with the McLaurin scenario.

It is no shock to the Commanders that McLaurin desires a brand new contract, however NFL negotiations usually work off comparables, and discovering frequent floor on these comps has made this a troublesome dialog. Most of the large offers which have occurred over the previous 12 months at wide receiver have been for gamers on the finish of their rookie contracts, with Ja’Marr Chase topping the market at simply over $40 million per year. Justin Jefferson is at $35 million annually. Garrett Wilson, who signed his deal final month, is at $32.5 million per year, simply forward of CeeDee Lamb. All of these guys are youthful than McLaurin.

There have been edge rushers at this level of their careers who match and high what youthful gamers are getting, with the Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt contracts as examples, however that normally hasn’t prolonged to veteran huge receivers. The exceptions had been the 2022 trades for Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill, which reset the market at receiver. These had been gamers who had extra vital pedigrees, although — Adams was coming off three consecutive first-team All-Professional nods, and Hill had three in six seasons with the Chiefs (one approaching particular groups).

McLaurin would possibly rightfully declare that these guys had been enjoying with significantly better quarterbacks than he was earlier than Daniels arrived, however he has but to be a first-team All-Professional or lead the league in any main receiving class. He was a second-team All-Professional for the primary time final season. His calling card has been exceptional consistency, as he has racked up 5 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. He has by no means topped 1,200 yards, nonetheless.

As an alternative, the comps the Commanders are taking a look at with regard to receivers round McLaurin’s age aren’t wherever close to as profitable. Mike Evans, who owns a for much longer streak of 1,000-yard campaigns, hit free company upfront of his age-31 season in 2024 and landed solely a two-year deal value $41 million. Adjusting for the rise within the wage cap, that might be the equal of $22.4 million per yr in 2025 cash.

Calvin Ridley, who was one yr youthful than Evans when he hit free company in 2024, signed with the Titans for 4 years and $92 million, averaging $23 million per season. Throwing out the unguaranteed parts, his contract is extra realistically a two-year, $48 million pact, which might be value $26.2 million per yr within the present cap panorama. Gamers previous their third contracts — like Adams ($22 million per season), Stefon Diggs ($21.2 million), and Cooper Kupp ($15 million) — all did not land greater than Ridley in common wage this offseason, even with the cap enhance. All three are 31 or older.

McLaurin’s case additionally took successful this week when Broncos wideout Courtland Sutton, who turns 30 in October, signed an extension in the same worth vary. Sutton’s deal was a four-year, $92 million pact, averaging $23 million. The total particulars aren’t accessible, nevertheless it would not look to supply a lot in the way in which of serious long-term ensures; in accordance with ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Sutton was assured the $14 million he was already set to obtain in 2025 and acquired $27 million extra in ensures on the extension, suggesting he’s actually taking a look at a two-year, $41 million pact. In different phrases, that is primarily what Evans acquired final yr.

Evans’ incapacity to land extra money chilled the veteran wideout market. If he was capable of land solely $20.5 million per yr, what are the probabilities that Sutton, a much less productive participant with a extra vital harm historical past, would do higher in 2026? And what are the probabilities McLaurin could be in place to land a deal extra in step with what he desires?

Groups use this as a approach to get veterans to each signal extensions and take pay cuts. When the Commanders did not assume 30-year-old swing sort out Andrew Wylie was definitely worth the $7.8 million he was set to make in 2025, the group gave him a option to take a pay reduce to $3.5 million or face the open market. Wylie selected the safety and stability of staying in Washington and took the pay cut.

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The lone current contract that looms as a comp that may find yourself being significant for each side belongs to the final star huge receiver who really did get traded. The Steelers traded for DK Metcalf on the finish of his second contract with the Seahawks, then gave him a four-year, $132 million extension, a deal value $33 million per yr. His contract ensures him $60 million over the subsequent two seasons earlier than the Steelers have a collection of unguaranteed years in 2027 and past.

McLaurin, who entered the league in the identical draft as Metcalf, has each proper to recommend he deserves the identical type of deal. Over their respective six-year spans within the league, Metcalf has 438 catches for six,324 yards and 48 touchdowns. McLaurin has 460 catches for six,379 yards and 38 touchdowns. Metcalf has averaged 2.02 yards per route run. McLaurin has averaged 2.01. And whereas Metcalf’s 2020 season was the largest particular person yr produced by both of those gamers, McLaurin has been extra constant.

The 2 large variations don’t have anything to do with their on-field manufacturing. One is age: Metcalf is greater than two years youthful than McLaurin, having entered the league as a 21-year-old. The opposite is leverage. When the Steelers determined to commerce a second-round choose for Metcalf, he had the leverage to ask for a big extension as a part of that deal, since Pittsburgh would not have been inclined to commerce a big choose for such a gifted participant after which lose him for nothing the next yr in free company.

McLaurin would not have that type of leverage with the Commanders, which is why he was possible left with no different resolution however to ask for a trade. If the Commanders aren’t going to pay him a deal in step with what Metcalf is getting and as a substitute need to pay him one thing nearer to Evans and Sutton, the one manner he’s going to assemble that leverage is to be traded and have one other crew worth in a extra vital deal.

How can the Commanders resolve this with no commerce?

If there have been a easy resolution, each side would have discovered it by now. It is normally not troublesome for groups and gamers to beat a small hole in negotiations, however there could possibly be a distinction of $10 million per yr between Metcalf’s contract and the extensions signed by Sutton and Evans. McLaurin sitting out and ultimately lacking regular-season video games with what has been listed as an ankle harm would not do both aspect any favors, however Commanders followers know the way issues can go when a participant decides he desires out, with Trent Williams‘ absent 2019 season and eventual commerce for third- and fifth-round picks as a painful reminiscence.

If the Commanders are going to get this finished with out resorting to a commerce, there are only some methods it could possibly play out. What do these seem like?

1. The Commanders blink and provides McLaurin what he desires. Whereas we do not know the specifics of what he would settle for, giving him the four-year, $132 million extension Metcalf signed with the Steelers would possible be sufficient to get a deal finished. Metcalf had $18 million remaining on his pact with the Seahawks, so he acquired $42 million in new ensures between 2025 and 2026. The Commanders in all probability must do the identical. Whereas I am certain McLaurin and his camp would really like some ensures into 12 months 3 of a possible extension, I am undecided that is real looking.

It would look like McLaurin will simply be this participant endlessly in the identical manner that Evans has been, nevertheless it’s solely real looking for the Commanders to be involved about what occurs subsequent. Adams was an All-Professional in his first season with the Raiders after which noticed his numbers decline. Julio Jones led the league in receiving yards at 29 and signed a three-year, $66 million extension in 2019. By the point that extension began, the Falcons had dealt Jones to the Titans for a second-round choose; after a 1,394-yard season at age-30, he racked up simply 1,578 yards over his subsequent 4 seasons mixed earlier than retiring. Allen Robinson had 1,250 yards with Mitch Trubisky and Nick Foles at quarterback in his age-27 season and simply 1,059 yards over his subsequent 4 years mixed, which included a big third contract with the Rams.

I do not count on McLaurin to fall off, however one of many causes groups are hesitant at hand out vital contracts to wideouts on this age vary is the potential for what can generally be a really sudden drop-off.

2. McLaurin blinks and performs out the ultimate yr of his deal. He could be in place to change into an unrestricted free agent getting into his age-31 season, which might be about the identical age as Evans and a yr older than Ridley after they hit free company in 2024. Even with a productive yr, the best-case state of affairs for him would possible be one thing just like the contract Adams inked with the Rams a couple of months in the past, which was a two-year, $44-million pact with one yr and $26 million assured. Even with an increase within the wage cap coming once more in 2026, it might be a shock if McLaurin landed greater than $25 million per yr in free company getting into his age-31 season.

And clearly, there’s main draw back if McLaurin has a disappointing season. He might get injured. Daniels might get injured, which might affect his numbers. His 13 touchdowns in 2024, an outlier for a participant who had averaged 5 receiving scores yearly earlier than 2024, might regress towards his profession charges. Or he might simply see a smaller goal share with the addition of Samuel, giving the Commanders the reliable second wideout they did not have within the offense a yr in the past.

If McLaurin does excel, the Commanders may need to make use of the franchise tag to maintain him round in 2026. For the time being, that tasks to return in around $28.1 million, which might nonetheless be under the figures he would possible hope to be assured in 2026 as a part of a brand new deal. That quantity additionally issues in negotiations, because it limits what the Commanders must pay in the event that they do resolve to go year-to-year with him.

3. They compromise on a brand new contract. One of the best factor for each side could be to get a deal finished. The Commanders want McLaurin and do not need to primarily waste a yr of Daniels’ rookie contract with no viable high wideout for him. McLaurin’s greatest likelihood of getting a significant assure on a 3rd contract is that this offseason, not subsequent. The clock is ticking for each side.

For that to occur, each side want to present some on their calls for. The Commanders in all probability aren’t going to get McLaurin signed for what the Broncos gave Sutton, which seems like it will be about $41 million over two years, though it might are available in greater after we get the precise phrases. And McLaurin in all probability is not going to get what the Steelers gave Metcalf when it comes to precise assured cash, which was $60 million over two years.

Splitting the distinction between these figures is $50.5 million over the subsequent two seasons. That is simply in need of two franchise tags, on condition that the 2025 tag for wideouts is slightly below $24 million, whereas the 2026 tag tasks to the $28.1 million determine I discussed. McLaurin has already made $2.8 million from a March roster bonus, so the Commanders could be on the hook for about $49 million extra between 2025 and 2026. With him at the moment set to make a $15.5 million base wage in 2025, they might up that to $20.5 million in 2025 compensation and add $28.5 million in 2026 in what quantities to a de facto franchise tag upfront.

In the meantime, McLaurin might win the general public aspect of the disagreement by getting a four-year, $136 million extension, topping what Metcalf acquired in his take care of the Steelers on paper. Most of that cash, although, could be non-guaranteed and are available after the 2026 season. In return, they might accept about $52 million in assured cash over the subsequent two years, $8 million in need of what Metcalf landed from the Steelers. Which may not sound ideally suited, however two franchise tags could be a fantastic end result for McLaurin given that he’s assured solely $15.5 million proper now.

4. The Commanders sweeten the deal. Up to now, groups have pacified gamers who need new contracts by transferring cash from future seasons into the present yr. When Jones needed a brand new take care of three years left to go on his present pact in 2018, for instance, the Falcons took $2 million out of his 2019 wage and gave it to their star wideout a yr upfront whereas promising him they might comply with phrases on a brand new deal after the season.

Effectively, McLaurin is within the remaining yr of his present contract. (Whereas he’s technically on the Commanders books subsequent yr, that is only for accounting functions, as his deal voids earlier than the 2026 offseason begins, with $5.6 million in lifeless cash left on Washington’s cap.) The Commanders must restructure his present deal so as to add extra money, but when they needed to take action, they might add, say, $3 million to that $15.5 million base wage, assure that complete quantity for 2025, after which desk the dialogue about what occurs in 2026 till after the season.

Between the 4 situations I laid out, that is the most probably one. If there actually is a big divide between the 2 sides on a contract extension, the best manner for McLaurin to save lots of face and the group to look like it’s rewarding one in all its longest-tenured gamers and a fan favourite is to throw a bit of extra cash his manner. If this occurs, the group will say that it’s guaranteeing him $18.5 million, although he was already going to have $15.5 million of that determine assured when he was on the roster for Week 1, which implies it is actually simply $3 million in new cash.

If the 2 sides simply cannot discover any type of frequent floor and McLaurin digs in additional, let’s speak in regards to the state of affairs Commanders followers do not need to see …

What can the Commanders get in the event that they commerce McLaurin?

Realistically, I do not assume there is a sturdy likelihood McLaurin will get traded. There’s been no suggestion from the Commanders’ aspect that they are seeking to deal him, even after his request. Buying and selling him now would possible end in touchdown 2026 draft picks, which will not assist the Commanders in a season through which they’re hoping to compete. And there simply aren’t many groups with the cap house or money funds at this level of the offseason to present him the type of deal he seems to need.

Once I put collectively my current trade tiers piece, I did not have McLaurin touchdown a first-round choose in a possible deal. Commanders followers would possibly really feel like something in need of that might be a significant disappointment, however the actuality is we simply do not see gamers with out a number of All-Professional appearances and/or a viable case as the very best participant at their place dealt for first-round picks as they strategy 30, with quarterbacks because the lone exception.

Timed simply earlier than the season, and with the buying crew both renting McLaurin on a one-year deal or giving him a big extension, the Commanders would possible be taking a look at a third-round choose and a possible Day 3 choice if they really did commerce him. The Browns acquired a third-round choose and a swap of late choices from the Bills for a 30-year-old Amari Cooper as a rental final October, and that was in the course of the season, when groups get a bit of extra determined. I would not be shocked if Washington had been capable of land a second-round choose, however a first-rounder could be really surprising.

And naturally, if the return goes to be a solely third-round choose and a bit of extra, the Commanders aren’t actually incentivized to deal McLaurin. Even when they do not need to do any type of long-term contract with him, they’re in all probability higher off having him on the roster for yet one more season whereas hoping to land a compensatory choose for him in free company subsequent offseason. Stranger issues have occurred, although. And if issues do go south for the Commanders early within the offseason, I might see a state of affairs through which he turns into accessible on the commerce deadline, as Cooper was a yr in the past.

Which groups would realistically take into account buying and selling for McLaurin?

Once I went across the league, I used to be shocked at what number of groups weren’t nice matches for McLaurin. Groups with one costly wideout in all probability cannot justify spending this a lot cash on one other. Many offenses are locked into two beginning huge receivers because the season approaches. Some groups simply haven’t got a scenario that might actually profit from including a 29-year-old huge receiver, even one as gifted as McLaurin. Others do not sometimes make strikes for gamers at this level of their careers.

It is easy to plug McLaurin in as a match for plenty of groups, nevertheless it’s additionally straightforward to poke holes in these plans. The Chiefs are dedicated to Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy as their two high receivers. The Packers do not need to commerce away draft picks or goal gamers as they strategy 30. The Jets are shifting towards a run-heavy assault with Justin Fields at quarterback. The Texans are paying Christian Kirk and Nico Collins and simply used two Day 2 picks on huge receivers.

There are three groups that make sense:

The Indianapolis Colts do not sometimes make main investments in gamers from exterior the group, however they did trade a first-round pick for defensive sort out DeForest Buckner in 2020. Normal supervisor Chris Ballard locations a significant emphasis on crew tradition and gamers being the correct match for his or her constructing, a bar McLaurin ought to be capable of meet. And with Anthony Richardson getting into his third season, the Colts have to do every little thing of their energy to present their embattled quarterback the very best likelihood of creating right into a stable passer over the subsequent six months.

The Colts have already got three beginning wideouts in Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs and Alec Pierce, however that is likely to be interesting to the Commanders as a part of a possible commerce. Pierce is not as full of a receiver as McLaurin, however we have seen groups pay premiums for pace with Dyami Brown and Tutu Atwell this offseason, and he could possibly be a part of the rotation that replaces McLaurin. It is unlikely, however with the Colts going heavy into free company for defenders Charvarius Ward and Cam Bynum this offseason, they’re clearly snug being extra aggressive importing expertise than in earlier years.

One other crew attempting to prop up its third-year quarterback is the Carolina Panthers, and whereas they used their first-round choose on wideout Tetairoa McMillan this spring, he’s the one receiver assured a spot within the beginning lineup on a weekly foundation. First-round choose Xavier Legette did not impress as a rookie final season, David Moore is a situational participant, and Jalen Coker has reportedly been outshone by Hunter Renfrow in camp out of the slot.

Might the Panthers justify buying and selling for McLaurin? It might enable them to maneuver McMillan throughout the sphere as a substitute of merely locking him because the “X” receiver within the offense, whereas giving Bryce Young one of many extra thrilling one-two punches at wideout within the league. And whereas veteran Adam Thielen clearly would not be the point of interest of the return, he matches proper in alongside Zach Ertz and Bobby Wagner as Washington’s veterans who nonetheless have one thing to supply and would possibly exceed expectations in the correct position. Once more, it appears extra possible the Panthers will simply persist with McMillan as their high exterior receiver and kind by way of their inner choices at this level of the offseason.

The aggressive crew that looks as if probably the most believable match is the Buffalo Bills. Normal supervisor Brandon Beane has repeatedly traded for wideouts to help Josh Allen, together with the first-round pick he dealt for Stefon Diggs in 2020 and the third-rounder he despatched to the Browns as the first piece to amass Cooper for the rest of final season. The Payments may need thought-about an extension for Cooper if he had impressed, however he hit free company and stays there.

McLaurin would step in as a reliable high wideout in an offense that leans closely towards the cross. The Payments have assembled quite a lot of choices for Allen, they usually understandably aren’t prepared to surrender on Dalton Kincaid and Keon Coleman, however there is a purpose they traded for Cooper final fall. There’s no one on this roster Allen can look towards in key spots as somebody who’s reliably going to get open. And as we noticed in that fateful fourth down within the playoff loss to the Chiefs, there’s no one on this receiving corps whom Kansas Metropolis defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was scared about masking, which allowed the blitz whisperer to ship high cornerback Trent McDuffie after Allen on what ended up making a season-ending strain for Buffalo.

And but, even for the Payments, this might be a troublesome match. Khalil Shakir is an effective slot receiver, and Beane signed Joshua Palmer to play significant snaps as a de facto alternative for Mack Hollins. McLaurin would possible take alternatives away from Coleman, a transfer the Payments are unlikely to make after only one season with their 2024 second-round choose. Buffalo is slightly over the 2025 salary cap, so it is already in a good monetary squeeze, even with out having addressed a new deal for working again James Cook. And having primarily burned a third-round choose on Cooper a yr in the past, I am undecided Beane desires to take that plunge once more for what is likely to be one other one-year rental.

The logical factor is for McLaurin to stick with the Commanders, for the 2 sides to return to phrases on a brand new deal or some type of elevate, and for Daniels to have his greatest cross catcher on the sphere in Week 1. It is nonetheless the most probably state of affairs. After a holdout, hold-in and now a commerce request, although, it is clear there’s an actual disconnect between the Commanders and one in all their most essential and beloved gamers. Now it is on Peters to discover a resolution that retains each his high huge receiver and his fan base joyful.