Patriots predicted to land Terry McLaurin by sending two WRs and 2nd round pick to Commanders
The Washington Commanders have publicly said they have no plan to trade Terry McLaurin.Â
Yet still, a week into training camp, and McLaurin doesn’t seem any closer to getting the new contract he’s been seeking since the 2024 season came to an end.Â
McLaurin has one year remaining on a three-year, $71MM deal he signed with the Commanders back in 2022. The $23.3MM average annual value now ranks 17th among wide receivers, and the former All-Pro is seeking a new deal that would put him even with the other top level wideouts in the NFL, as there as been a major spike in contracts at the position over the last few tears. While McLaurin hasn’t explicitly stated what kind of money he’s seeking in his new deal, it’s tough to see him being happy with anything under roughly 34 million per year. That’s what DK Metcalf, who was in McLaurin’s draft class and didn’t put up the same numbers as the Commanders star last season, got from the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency.Â
Still, NFL insiders have continued to report the same thing when it comes to McLaurin and the Commanders getting close to a new deal.Â
The two sides aren’t even close.Â
 NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport notes that talks have “stalled,” leading to today’s sudden trade request. James Palmer of Bleacher Report notes that the Commanders don’t appear to be “moving” from their existing offer, while Albert Breer of TheMMQB says there hasn’t been any progress in talks for a month.
All of this led McLaurin to take drastic action on Thursday night and officially request a trade.Â
From the Commanders perspective, it’s almost impossible to envision them going into the 2025 season without Jayden Daniels’ top offensive weapon on the field. Washington made moves all offseason to make a run at a Super Bowl right now, and without McLaurin, it’s difficult to see that path.Â
It’s hard to say why Washington has been hesitant to give McLaurin a contract that aligns with the current market. The Commanders certainly have the cap space, but reports have said there’s concern about the wideout’s age. McLaurin turns 30 in September.Â
It will be interesting to see how it all plays out, but since requesting the trade, predictions have begun to spill out on potential destinations and packages for McLaurin.Â
Bleacher Report laid out a scenario where the New England Patriots send a 2026 2nd-rounder, WR Kendrick Bourne and WR Ja’Lynn Polk in exchange for the Commanders WR.Â
After tearing his ACL last October, Stefon Diggs has been a full participant at training camp and seems to be on track to suit up for Week 1. Still, the New England Patriots should double down on veteran receivers to help Drake Maye’s early development.
Diggs is healthy enough to practice, but he may not be back to full speed in game action coming off a significant knee injury. Secondly, at 31, the 11th-year pro is slightly past his prime. McLaurin hasn’t missed a game since 2020, and he’s still performing at his peak.
The Patriots’ package offers a veteran receiver and one with upside. Bourne can contribute right away. Polk may just need more opportunities to blossom into a consistent playmaker.
Polk, a second-rounder from the 2024 draft, hauled in 12 out of 33 targets for 87 yards and two touchdowns last season. He made steady progress over three collegiate terms at Washington and could do the same on the pro level with more experience and targets.
