Before becoming the Washington Commanders top wide receiver, Terry McLaurin (“Scary Terry”) dominated at Cathedral High School, winning Indiana’s Mr. Football award in 2013 after a state title performance at Lucas Oil Stadium that included nine catches for 170 total yards and three touchdowns.
He returned to that field in 2018 for the Big Ten Championship, turning just three catches into 78 yards and two scores for Ohio State. That showing solidified him as one of the most NFL-ready receivers in the draft class. Colts fans hoped to see him back home in 2019, but the team passed on him three times in the second round. Washington grabbed him early in the third, and McLaurin has never looked back, topping 1,000 yards in each of the past five seasons despite playing with a different quarterback almost every year.
Now, after formally requesting a trade, McLaurin’s future is up in the air. And the idea of him returning to Indiana could be one of the most intriguing roster decisions Chris Ballard has faced in years. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell recently listed the Colts as one of only three NFL teams that make sense as a landing spot for Terry McLaurin.
Why McLaurin Could Complete the Colts Receiver Room
GettyScary Terry could give the Colts the ‘best wide receiver room in the league.’
The Colts are not desperate at wide receiver, but adding McLaurin could transform the unit from solid to one of the NFL’s most dangerous. Michael Pittman Jr. has been the team’s WR1 since 2021, averaging nearly 1,000 yards per season despite a revolving door of quarterbacks. Josh Downs is a crafty slot option who fights for the team lead in targets every week. Alec Pierce, a premier deep threat who led the league in yards per reception last year (22.3), is entering the final season of his rookie deal.
Acquiring McLaurin would allow Indianapolis to replace Pierce with an even more complete vertical weapon without the pressure of re-signing Pierce in 2026. More importantly, Pittman and McLaurin could operate as a true 1A-1B tandem, creating matchup nightmares for opposing secondaries. McLaurin’s 4.35 speed and top 20 separation ranking in 2024 would complement Pittman’s size, contested catch ability, and physicality, giving Anthony Richardson the kind of versatility he hasn’t had in his career.
The Contract Math and Long-Term Fit
GettyAccording to OverTheCap.com, the Colts currently have $19,361,283 in salary cap space.
Terry McLaurin’s contract is part of why this conversation exists at all. At age 30, he’s aiming for a contract extension in the $30 million per year tier that only nine receivers have reached in the last two offseasons. Tyreek Hill is the only player to land that payday at McLaurin’s age.
For the Colts, the decision would come down to whether a multi year investment in McLaurin is worth the added cap strain on a roster that must eventually pay players like Downs, Braden Smith, Kwity Paye, and potentially even Anthony Richardson.
Yes, there are hurdles: the price in draft capital, the size of the extension, and the challenge of integrating a new top target this close to the season. But Indianapolis has already shown more willingness to add proven talent from outside the building in recent offseasons, and with Richardson entering Year 3, the urgency to give him a complete supporting cast is real.
For now, the most likely scenario is that McLaurin remains a Commanders and eventually signs a contract extension. But if the standoff continues and Washington explores options, the Colts could be a logical suitor with the resources, roster fit, and front office boldness to make it work.
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