Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin has requested a trade, ESPN reported on Thursday. The New England Patriots have been heavily rumored to be a strong landing spot if the Commanders change their mind on trading McLaurin.
Team sources have said multiple times that the Commanders do not want to trade McLaurin, but the contract negotiations between the two parties have broken down as training camp begins. The two-time NFL Pro Bowler held out for the first four days of training camp. However, he reported on Sunday to avoid being fined as much as $50,000 per day for skipping training camp.
As of this writing, the latest update is nothing. There has been no movement on a potential trade or the contract negotiations between the Commanders and Terry McLaurin. Washington general manager Adam Peters is working to keep everything professional as the two sides find a solution.
“You’re dealing with a really good player and really good person,” Peters told ESPN… “You never lose sight of that and make sure every conversation you have is very straightforward and in good faith and keeping that mindset throughout … understanding our goal is to get a deal done.”
Terry McLaurin Could Be Traded to the New England Patriots
The Washington Commanders are uncertain about having McLaurin on the NFL trade block. On paper, a trade partner should make a good offer with a strong package. The more important part is paying McLaurin more than $30 million per year and negotiating a whole new contract.
Since news broke about turmoil in Washington, a trade with the New England Patriots has been heavily rumored and linked to multiple trade pitches and insider reports. NESN reported more than two weeks ago that the Patriots were very interested in a trade for Terry McLaurin.
Jacob Camenker of USA Today also wrote that despite the Patriots securing Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins in the offseason, they still lack a true No. wide receiver to cement their offense against the high-power offenses and quarterbacks in Kansas City, Buffalo, or Baltimore.
“McLaurin’s well-rounded skill set would pair well with Drake Maye and could help the second-year starter take a big step forward in 2025,” Camenker wrote. “The 29-year-old would also pair well with Diggs and allow New England’s intriguing, young receivers time to develop and jockey for position on the depth chart.”
Terry McLaurin Turns Patriots Into an AFC East Contender
For the New England Patriots, a trade for Terry McLaurin benefits the whole team. McLaurin would be an immediate growth accelerator for Drake Maye. He will make life easier for Stefon Diggs, who is still coming off a torn ACL from last season.
The Patriots have the cap space and need for a true No. 1 wide receiver. A Terry McLaurin trade makes the Patriots a legitimate challenge to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East. Many NFL critics and fans have predicted the Patriots will return to the playoffs for the first time since 2021.
In the coming days, it will be clear if the trade request is serious or not. If the Patriots can pull off a monster trade for someone like McLaurin, life changes in New England. If the Commanders decide to trade Terry McLaurin, the New England Patriots are the most logical landing spots.
