The future remains uncertain for disgruntled Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who requested a trade last week amid ongoing contract extension disputes. On Tuesday, ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky weighed in on the situation, and his take wasn’t exactly flattering for Washington.
Long before Jayden Daniels arrived last season, McLaurin was putting up Pro Bowl-level numbers despite years of subpar quarterback play. Yet instead of rewarding McLaurin’s consistent production during some of the franchise’s darkest years, the Commanders have chosen to pinch pennies and refuse to pay him what he believes he’s worth.
Orlovsky didn’t hold back his criticism of how the Commanders have handled McLaurin during Tuesday’s edition of First Take.
“This is one of the dumbest things that has been a part of the NFL this offseason,” said Orlovsky. “It’s one of the most maddening situations that I have been watching this NFL offseason. It ain’t that hard. And I have had people disagree with me on that. It’s not that hard. Respectfully, Washington, you were a dumpster fire for years. You were a laughing stock. The only good thing about your organization was that young man. Every year, he did it. Year after year after year, for like five or six years, with disaster all around you. He was the only reason why anyone spoke somewhat positively about your organization.
“If you don’t have him, you erase everything that you did last year. Everything that you did. I’m being respectful to Dan Quinn and Adam Peters and what they did last year. You need him. Give me receivers that impact winning as much, if not more, than Terry McLaurin. I’ll give you Ja’Marr (Chase), I’ll give you Justin (Jefferson), Amon-Ra St.Brown. He impacts winning. This is a team that had six fourth-quarter comebacks, was ridiculous on fourth down. What are we doing in Washington? You finally have some good. You finally have hope for the future. And you’re trying to take away the one thing in your organization that, before Jayden (Daniels) and that group got there, was good. It makes no sense.”
“Respectfully Washington, you were a dumpster fire for years. … The only thing good about your organization was [Terry McLaurin].”
—@danorlovsky7 on McLaurin’s contract negotiations being “one of the dumbest” NFL offseason situations 😅 pic.twitter.com/swkdTAxApH
— First Take (@FirstTake) August 4, 2025
It’s hard to argue with Orlovsky’s take. McLaurin has been the lone bright spot in Washington’s offense for five seasons. Now that the Commanders finally look like a team with NFC contention potential, they’re seemingly overlooking everything McLaurin has done.
Only time will tell how this situation will ultimately play out. Trade requests are often used as leverage by players seeking the contracts they believe they deserve. But, clearly, the Commanders’ offense would take a significant hit if McLaurin is traded at any point in 2025.