In the absence of progress at the negotiating table, Terry McLaurin went public with a trade request on Thursday. The chances of the Commanders dealing him away have long been viewed as low, and that remains the case at this point. 
A number of teams inquired with Washington about McLaurin prior to the news of his trade request. As Nicki Jhabvala and Dianna Russini of The Athletic report, though, the Commanders informed suitors they have no plans of moving on from the two-time Pro Bowler. The sides remain at an impasse regarding extension talks, so interest on the trade front will no doubt continue until and unless an agreement is reached.
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated notes a number of issues (including overall value and guarantees) are yet to be resolved in McLaurin’s case. That differs from, for instance, the case of Trey Hendrickson and the Bengals. The AAV of a new Cincinnati agreement appears to have been hammered out, but the sides are at an impasse with respect to guaranteeing more than the first year of any new pact. It remains to be seen general manager Adam Peters and the Commanders will be willing to reach or surpass $30MM per year on a long-term contract.
While remarking on the situation, one general manager told Russini they liken this case to that of Haason Reddick from last year. Reddick engaged in lengthy holdout with the Jets while seeking an extension following his trade from the Eagles. In the end, a short-term compromise was made but Reddick’s debut was delayed until Week 8 and he departed in free agency after an underwhelming campaign. Any similar absence through the regular season – something which, to be clear, McLaurin has not yet threatened – would of course be highly detrimental to a Commanders team aiming to duplicate last year’s run to the NFC title game.
During a Friday appearance on the Rich Eisen Show (video link), NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero said a trade cannot completely be ruled out at this point. The Patriots are known to be a potential suitor in the event Peters’ approach changes and consideration is given to a swap. Such a move would leave Washington with trade acquisition (and pending 2026 free agent) Deebo Samuel atop the WR depth chart.
However, the Commanders have a star quarterback on a rookie contract, opening up a clear competitive window for them to build around Jayden Daniels before he commands a market-level salary. That would seem to include investing in a perennial thousand-yard threat like McLaurin – who already has an impressive rapport with his young QB. Coming to an agreement with the soon-to-be 30-year-old feels like an inevitability, whether it be before Week 1 or partway into the regular season.
Business is business.
They can tag him 2026 and 2027. He’ll fold and be back….whether he wants to or not. Washington holds all the cards. Sit out for 3 years. Not much demand for a 34 year old receiver at that point.
If they franchise him next year it’s going to be something like $25 million fully guaranteed with no wiggle room to structuring. If they franchise him a second time, that will push it up by 20%, also fully guaranteed with no wiggle room to structuring. All of that to further disgruntle their best player other than Daniels. It would be easier and financially better to just give him a new deal.
Washington also doesn’t hold all the cards, because McLaurin is their number one receiver, it’s too late in the offseason to find another one, and they’re trying to compete this year.
He wants $30 million plus now. Franchise him.
Even if you gave him a multi-year deal at a $30 million average with $60 million in guarantees, that would be much, much easier to swallow than franchising him. They can’t franchise him until next year anyway and the team needs him now.
To sultan, the flexibility of a re-sign for $30m+ is both team and player friendly. Both sides should prefer an extension over a franchise tag.
To you and Oooof, I agree and respectfully disagree. Agree because the guy has been extremely loyal, great locker room presence and a fan favorite. Pay him fairly and allow the progression continue with JD. Disagree because he’s 31 (I think). And it’s a business. He gets hurt, that’s a cap hit. Happens all the time. Might not happen but it’s always a possibility. I still think Washington holds all the cards. I’ll agree also that I’d like this to be wrapped up like yesterday.
No one is tagging a 30-year-old receiver. That’s insane. They’ll work out a three year deal just like last time. I don’t think they want to go over $30 mil, but they’re going to have to considering all the receivers in his class have gotten paid, and he’s outproduced them with a much worse QB situation until last year. The fans largely are also on his side on this when you take the temperature of their fan base.
I am mainly on his side in this but if he is really wanting $34 million like I have heard is too much at his age. If he will take $30 million and Washington will do that I agree with you. But from the news I have heard he says he won’t go below the $34 million. I hope thats false and he gets the $30 million and everyone comes away happy.
Yeah, I think they’ll end up splitting the difference, but I had said $33 mil was probably where they were going to have to end up.
Well after the Courtland Sutton deal is why I said $30 million. I believe that’s the problem here. From the Washington news I watch supposedly the are offering $28 million. Courtland Sutton deal was $23 million a year with similar numbers except for TDS Terry had 9 more than him 13 to 4
“Do not intend” equals he’s getting traded. John Lynch and the 49ers better get him
I could see the 49ers sending Jennings and picks in a swap.
Hard to imagine the Niners adding any big ticket contract now, especially not a receiver.
9ers didn’t want to do an Aiyuk to Wash deal last year. Wash is not sending their best skill guy for peanuts in a similar scenario.
I don’t think that’s true. I don’t think Washington was offering them what they wanted. Cleveland and New England had offered what they wanted, but he wouldn’t sign with them long term. Pittsburgh and Washington weren’t offering as much compensation, but they both were going to give him the contract he wanted. Even when that was going on last year, I wondered how that would work out with McClauren coming up, or maybe they were asking for him back in the deal. I think they asked for Pickens back, and Pittsburgh said no, which obviously they had a change of heart on a year later.
I’d be more than happy if the Patriots went and got him. We need WRs BADLY. I’d love to see him catching passes from Maye.