With the start of the regular season just a few weeks away, the Washington Commanders find themselves with a major piece of business to attend to. After weeks of ongoing drama, the front office remains at odds with wide receiver Terry McLaurin.
McLaurin has been a pillar for the Commanders for years now and is eager to lock down a new contract. This comes on the heels of one of his better campaigns in Washington, catching a career-high 13 touchdowns.
While the Commanders value McLaurin greatly, they haven't been able to come to terms on a deal that will end his hold-in. Due to negotiations not going how he'd wanted, the veteran wideout decided to up the ante by requesting a trade.
Commanders insider details key factor in Terry McLaurin trade saga
Long before McLaurin requested a trade, the Commanders made their stance clear. They have no plans on dealing the star receiver away, and feel a new contract is the only possible outcome to this saga. Now weeks removed from his request, one insider detailed why a change of scenery might not get McLaurin what he is looking for.
From his side of things, McLaurin wants to be compensated similarly to the other top talents at his position. Meanwhile, Washington doesn't want to pay a receiver $30 million annually as they get ready to turn 30 years old.
In a recent column breaking down this ongoing ordeal, insider John Keim reported again that the Commanders aren't entertaining a McLaurin trade. He also cited that people around the league don't think he'd get the kind of deal he wants even if a team were to pull off acquiring him.
"Coach Dan Quinn said trade requests have become a regular part of the business," Keim wrote. "So the Commanders weren't caught off-guard by McLaurin's plea, but multiple team sources over the past two months have echoed the same refrain: They're not going to give up the receiver. Even if they wanted to, there's doubt, according to coaches, agents and executives around the league, about whether another team would be willing to trade for McLaurin -- and then pay him what he wants."
With the regular season looming, there remains no end in sight when it comes to McLaurin and the Commanders. Seeing that he's been on the PUP list since arriving at training camp, it is unknown if the disgruntled receiver will be on the field for Washington to open the year.
Related Articles
2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.