There is only one truly nuclear scenario when it comes to the testy, ongoing contract negotiations between the Washington Commanders and NFL All-Pro wide receiver Terry McLaurin.
That finger on the button scenario plays out only when McLaurin sits out the entire 2025 season, forfeits his $19.65 million salary for the year and the Commanders get nothing in return for the franchise’s best wide receiver in 40 years.
Beyond that, there are varying levels of self destruction on either side, the most likely of which — if no deal is struck — involves McLaurin sitting out training camp and an extended number of games while taking on massive fines, a la what edge rusher Haason Reddick did to the New York Jets in 2024.
If the 2 sides truly can’t come to an agreement and want a mutually beneficial outcome, a trade in which both the Commanders and McLaurin reap great benefits is probably the next best thing.
Sports Illustrated’s Mike Kadlick put 5 teams on a list of possible trade destinations for McLaurin, the he most compelling of those being the Las Vegas Raiders. That’s where McLaurin could get the pricey contract extension he covets and the Commanders should be able to get a 2026 first round pick and 2027 second round pick back in return in a straight up trade.
McLaurin Could Make All-Pro Trio On Raiders
Adding McLaurin would create a “Three Headed Monster” on offense, although not in the way Kadlick theorizes.
” … The Las Vegas Raiders look to be entering the 2025 season with a bare cupboard at wide receiver,” Kadlick wrote on July 7. “Outside of Jakobi Meyers, Vegas’ pass-catching core surrounding newly acquired quarterback Geno Smith includes the likes of Tre Tucker, Dont’e Thornton Jr., and rookie Jack Bech. To be frank, that’s not good enough … McLaurin would immediately enter Sin City as the No. 1 option in the Raiders’ offense, creating a quality three-headed monster alongside Meyers and tight end Brock Bowers.”
While Meyers, who had 1,027 receiving yards in 2024, would be an outstanding WR2 option, pairing McLaurin with rookie running back Ashton Jeanty and Bowers, who earned NFL All-Pro honors as a rookie, would be must-see TV.
Bowers, the first rookie to earn NFL All-Pro honors since 2002, set the NFL rookie tight ends record with 89 receptions and set the NFL single-season tight ends record with 1,129 receiving yards in 2024.
Jeanty, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, rushed for 4,769 yards and 50 touchdowns in 3 seasons at Boise State, including 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2024.
Deebo Trade Leaves Commanders With WR1 Option
Losing McLaurin doesn’t have to be an “All Is Lost” scenario for the Commanders thanks to the trade they made for NFL All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel in the offseason.
Samuel, while not as much of a safe bet as McLaurin, has the ability to be something similar to a WR1 option, although how he’s used would be much different than how McLaurin is used in the offense.
Beyond that, the Commanders have a tight end who might have one more great season left in Zach Ertz and about a half-dozen wide receivers and tight ends who might be able to form together and make a Voltron-type WR2/WR3 hybrid.
