The Washington Commanders have yet to reach a deal with Terry McLaurin.
Could they still trade him? He did request a deal as contract extension negotiations dragged on.
As of now, though, it doesn’t appear the Commanders want to ship him out.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero provided the latest update on Thursday morning.
“It still remains to be seen when McLaurin is actually going to get back on the practice field,” Pelissero said. “The coming days are going to be telling. Does Washington make one more offer to try to get something done with McLaurin? Like Micah Parsons, McLaurin has requested a trade, but it doesn’t sound like Washington has seriously explored that option. They still anticipate having McLaurin on the roster in 2025.”
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McLaurin wants a raise as he enters the final year of his contract.
He sees that the Steelers signed DK Metcalf to a four-year extension worth more than $30 million per year. McLaurin is due to make about $23 million this season.
McLaurin and Metcalf were in the same draft class and have had similar production (McLaurin likely wins the production argument). Metcalf is two years younger, though.
The Commanders are in the right spot to make this payment if they want. They’ve got a superstar quarterback on a rookie deal in Jayden Daniels, which frees up money to be used elsewhere.
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They haven’t rushed to get something done, though. The extension wouldn’t kick in until next season, when McLaurin will turn 31.
There is risk involved, for sure. But it’d also be surprising for Washington to let McLaurin stay on the sideline for weeks into the season.
This one may reach some kind of resolution sooner rather than later, if the Commanders are serious about chasing a Super Bowl this season.
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