Finding a solution to their lingering Terry McLaurin problem isn’t easy for the Washington Commanders, but if they’re not willing to pay the 30-year-old top-tier money, then trading him for a 6-foot-4 replacement is a smart compromise.
The deal would look smarter still if the Commanders also received solid compensation in the 2026 NFL draft. Namely, a third-round pick, according to a proposal outlined by Heavy on NFL’s Max Dible, a scenario involving the Green Bay Packers and towering wideout Christian Watson.
The deal would involve some delayed gratification for the Commanders, who would need to wait on Watson completing a full recovery from the torn ACL he suffered last season. Fortunately, Watson is already trending in the right direction.
He’d be the true vertical threat and contested-catch target Commanders second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels would need without McLaurin. The latter would surely welcome the chance to join another legitimate contender, and the five-time 1,000-yard receiver would boost Green Bay’s chances of taking NFC North supremacy away from the Detroit Lions.
Christian Watson Trade Proposal Works for Commanders
Snagging Watson as part of any deal for McLaurin would work for the Commanders because of the Packers’ target’s skill-set. Specifically, Watson is a field-stretcher with a penchant for getting vertical and making big plays.
One of the 26-year-old’s best was this grab covering 35 yards against the Seattle Seahawks last season.
Being able to hoist the ball into an area for Watson and trusting him to come down with it would be a huge asset for Daniels. The latter must expand his passing repertoire after leaning heavily into the short game as a rookie, but Daniels needs the right deep threats to help accelerate his development.
Watson’s career average of 16.9 yards per reception means he fits the bill as somebody able to take the top off defenes. The 6-foot-4, 208-pounder’s frame also means he’d offer something different to most of the receivers on Washington’s roster.
There’s no shortage of smaller and quicker after-catch specialists, like All-Pro Deebo Samuel and 2025 NFL draft fourth-round pick Jaylin Lane. Yet, what the Commanders are missing is a credible size and speed mismatch outside the numbers.
Watson is exactly that, and he’s also “ahead of the curve” in his recovery, according to Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst. Even so, Gutekunst confirmed Watson will “start the year on PUP,” per Pro Football Talk’s Josh Alper.
McLaurin is off that list, but he’s no closer to a deal. Targeting Watson would mean having to wait four games to get him back onto the field, but it’s a risk Gutekunst’s opposite number should take if no compromise with McLaurin can be reached.
Terry McLaurin Trade Proposal Suits Packers
Commanders GM Adam Peters has been reluctant to strike a deal with McLaurin because of concerns about his age and a warning from the analytics department. If Peters still won’t budge, he’d surely find a willing trade partner in the Packers.
Green Bay’s offense is loaded at wide receiver, but Watson is in a contract year, while Romeo Doubs has also been touted as a viable trade candidate. The Packers need a true alpha in the room, somebody to lead by example ahead of this year’s rookie pairing Matthew Golden and Savion Williams.
McLaurin is the perfect candidate for such a role. He’d allow the Pack to take maximize the potential of quarterback Jordan Love and a realistic Super Bowl window.
The Commanders also believe they’re ready to win a title with their own young star at football’s most important position. Daniels’ progress wouldn’t be slowed with a healthy again Watson complementing Samuel and Lane.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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