The contract stalemate between the Washington Commanders and Terry McLaurin reached a fever pitch on Thursday, with the star receiver requesting a trade.
Will the Commanders oblige?
Itâs too early to say, but with McLaurin distancing himself from the team, negotiations could very well get worse before they get better.
As such, expect other teams to take the Commandersâ temperature on dealing their prized playmaker. Los Angeles Rams safety Kam Curl essentially did so himself on Friday, issuing a subtle shoutout to McLaurin on social media.
âPull up 17,â Curl wrote on X (formerly Twitter), referring to McLaurinâs jersey number.
Curl, ironically, spent his first four seasons in Washington before signing a two-year, $13 million deal with Los Angeles.
Why Did Terry McLaurin Request a Trade?
McLaurin, who turns 30 in September, is set to make $15.5 million on the final year of a $68.3 million extension he signed in 2022.
McLaurin is far and away the Commandersâ most productive receiver, having logged five straight 1,000-yard seasons. In 2024, McLaurin had a team-high 82 catches for 1,096 yards and a career-high 13 touchdowns in 17 regular-season games. He then had another 227 yards and three touchdowns in the postseason, helping Washington to the NFC title game.
McLaurinâs salary is a relative bargain compared to the likes of fellow No. 1 receivers JaâMarr Chase ($40.2 million), Justin Jefferson ($35 million) and CeeDee Lamb ($34 million), and the Commanders donât seem inclined to pay him what he desires.
As it is, Washington has already made a significant investment at receiver this offseason, acquiring All-Pro Deebo Samuel for a fifth-round draft pick. Last season with the San Francisco 49ers, Samuel had 51 catches for 670 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games.
Will Terry McLaurin Be Traded?
Despite his public demands to be traded, McLaurin is unlikely to be moved. The Washington Postâs Barry Svrluga said as much in his Friday column.
Still, time is of the essence, and both sides can ill-afford to spend the whole preseason at the negotiating table.
If â and itâs a big if â McLaurin becomes available, interest will be immense.
The Rams donât necessarily need another receiver, nor do they have the cap space to meet McLaurinâs lofty contract demands. Three-time All-Pro Davante Adams signed a two-year, $46 million deal in March to play opposite Puka Nacua atop the depth chart.
Regardless, Curlâs recruitment canât hurt.
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