Within the absence of progress on the negotiating desk, Terry McLaurin went public with a trade request on Thursday. The probabilities of the Commanders dealing him away have lengthy been seen as low, and that continues to be the case at this level.
Numerous groups inquired with Washington about McLaurin previous to the information of his commerce request. As Nicki Jhabvala and Dianna Russini of The Athletic report, although, the Commanders knowledgeable suitors they don’t have any plans of shifting on from the two-time Professional Bowler. The edges stay at an deadlock concerning extension talks, so curiosity on the commerce entrance will little question proceed till and except an settlement is reached.
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated notes quite a few points (together with general worth and ensures) are but to be resolved in McLaurin’s case. That differs from, as an illustration, the case of Trey Hendrickson and the Bengals. The AAV of a brand new Cincinnati settlement seems to have been hammered out, however the sides are at an deadlock with respect to guaranteeing greater than the primary 12 months of any new pact. It stays to be seen normal supervisor Adam Peters and the Commanders will likely be prepared to reach or surpass $30M per year on a long-term contract.
Whereas remarking on the state of affairs, one normal supervisor told Russini they liken this case to that of Haason Reddick from final 12 months. Reddick engaged in prolonged holdout with the Jets whereas in search of an extension following his commerce from the Eagles. In the long run, a short-term compromise was made however Reddick’s debut was delayed till Week 8 and he departed in free company after an underwhelming marketing campaign. Any comparable absence by way of the common season — one thing which, to be clear, McLaurin has not but threatened — would after all be extremely detrimental to a Commanders workforce aiming to duplicate final 12 months’s run to the NFC title recreation.
Throughout a Friday look on the “Wealthy Eisen Present” (video link), NFL Community’s Tom Pelissero mentioned a commerce can’t fully be dominated out at this level. The Patriots are identified to be a possible suitor within the occasion Peters’ strategy modifications and consideration is given to a swap. Such a transfer would depart Washington with commerce acquisition (and pending 2026 free agent) Deebo Samuel atop the WR depth chart.
Nevertheless, the Commanders have a star quarterback on a rookie contract, opening up a transparent aggressive window for them to construct round Jayden Daniels earlier than he instructions a market-level wage. That would appear to incorporate investing in a perennial thousand-yard risk like McLaurin — who already has a formidable rapport along with his younger QB. Coming to an settlement with the soon-to-be 30-year-old appears like an inevitability, whether or not it’s earlier than Week 1 or partway into the common season.
