With a new trinity of head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterback, change is here for the New York Jets. The combination of Aaron Glenn, Tanner Engstrand and Justin Fields is expected to reinvigorate the team’s attack in 2025-26.
With that said, there remain some things to improve on. The skill position players on offense remain uncertain in terms of floor and ceiling. Running back Breece Hall and wide receiver Garrett Wilson make for a nice start, yet more may be needed for a high-flying offense.
The rest of the receiver room, specifically, isn’t up to standard. In order to make Fields’ life easier, does an external add make sense? That’s exactly what Nick Shook of NFL Media is pushing for. Given the trade request of Washington Commanders star Terry McLaurin, Shook listed six teams that should make a move for him.
Analyst Pushes for Jets to Acquire Terry McLaurin Via Trade
Of course, the Jets made the cut. Shook believes the work New York has done on the receiver front simply isn’t enough to be legitimate right now.
“New York’s transition from the short-lived Aaron Rodgers era included the departure of Davante Adams (plus Mike Williams‘ in-season trade), leaving New York a little thin at the position,” Shook wrote. “The Jets added Josh Reynolds and Tyler Johnson in the offseason, but the corps lacks punch on paper entering a season in which Justin Fields is taking over and will be expected to produce.”
Enter McLaurin, who has years of proven production even in underwhelming situations (sans 2024-25).
“Fields has one trusty, big-play receiver in former Ohio State teammate Garrett Wilson, and while they didn’t cross paths in Columbus, why not add another former Buckeye in McLaurin?” Shook asked. “The veteran would immediately give Fields another high-level teammate to target plenty in this new-look offense and raise the Jets’ ceiling. And with Fields on a two-year deal, it would be worth adding a receiver approaching 30 in order to produce instant results.”
McLaurin’s resume speaks for itself. Since recording 919 yards in 2019 as a rookie, he’s gone over the 1,000-yard mark in every single year. The former third-round pick has vastly outperformed his draft slot and has two Pro Bowl nods in the last three seasons.
Last year was quite easily his best, seeing him haul in 82 passes for 1,096 yards and a career-high 13 touchdowns (his previous high was 7). McLaurin’s success rate (58.1%) and catch percentage (70.1) were also personal records.
If McLaurin is made available, it makes a ton of sense for the Jets to come calling.
Does Acquiring McLaurin Make Sense From a Financial Standpoint?
Under his current deal, McLaurin accounts for $25.5 million against the Commanders’ salary cap. He’s undoubtedly due for a raise, but how high that new bar is set remains the question. It’s what’s keeping Washington from getting a new deal done. He ranks 17th in average annual value right now and will undoubtedly push higher on an extension. What’s McLaurin worth?
It’s a tricky assessment. On one hand, he’s clearly capable of being a leading target on offense. He’s also under the age of 30 and hasn’t missed a game since 2020. That mix of durability and consistency is hard to find. On the other hand, McLaurin isn’t quite an elite-level weapon. He’s more very good than truly great. He’ll also turn 30 in mid-September, so his age despite only having played six NFL seasons is a bit deceiving.
Is DK Metcalf‘s contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers a relevant comparison? He’s a similar caliber of player to McLaurin and got an average of right around $33M per year. With that said, it’s a five-year pact. The same can be said for Wilson of the Jets, although he’s only 25 years old. He’s getting $32.5M per season.
McLaurin won’t break the bank a la Ja’Marr Chase ($40.25M AAV). The Jets can afford him; New York has an estimated $29M in salary cap room now and nearly $52M next offseason, per Over the Cap. If they enter the sweepstakes, it then comes down to what an extension looks like and what’s given up in a swap.
Adding a receiver is a very logical proposition. Players like McLaurin don’t become available all that often in August.
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