Terry McLaurin wants a new contract.
The Washington Commanders wide receiver has posted five straight 1,000-yard seasons and believes he deserves to be paid like an elite receiver. But with McLaurin entering the final year of his three-year, $68.4 million deal, the two sides remain far apart in negotiations.
If they can’t reach an agreement, one AFC contender could swoop in.
Why the Chargers Make Sense for McLaurin Trade
The contract standoff between McLaurin and Washington has been brewing for months. According to the latest insider report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, negotiations have stalled completely.
McLaurin currently earns an average of $23.2 million per season, ranking him 16th among NFL wide receivers. That puts him behind players like Jaylen Waddle ($28.3 million) and Michael Pittman Jr. ($23.3 million), despite McLaurin’s consistent production.
Given his track record, the two-time Pro Bowler is reportedly seeking at least $30 million annually, placing him among the league’s highest-paid receivers.
Trading Terry McLaurin is the DUMBEST thing the Commanders could do pic.twitter.com/yAEnYblTzV
— Playoff NFL (@_PlayoffNFL) June 30, 2025
The timing couldn’t be worse for Washington. McLaurin just completed his fifth consecutive 1,000-yard season in 2024, catching 82 passes for 1,096 yards and 13 touchdowns. His chemistry with quarterback Jayden Daniels has been a bright spot for the Commanders’ offense.
Yet stranger things have happened in the NFL. If Washington decides to explore trade options rather than meet McLaurin’s salary demands, FOX Sports identified the Los Angeles Chargers as a prime landing spot.
Building a Championship Receiving Corps in Los Angeles
The Chargers entered 2025 with renewed optimism after finishing 11-6 in Jim Harbaugh’s first season as head coach. The team believes it has the foundation to compete in the loaded AFC, but the receiving corps remains a question mark.
Los Angeles currently relies on Ladd McConkey, second-round draft pick Tre Harris, and Quentin Johnston at receiver. While McConkey showed promise as a rookie, Johnston has struggled with consistency through his first two seasons. The departure of Keenan Allen before the 2024 season left quarterback Justin Herbert without a proven veteran target.
Adding McLaurin would transform the Chargers’ passing attack. His ability to win contested catches and stretch the field would complement McConkey’s underneath work perfectly.
“With McConkey getting open underneath and being versatile enough to rip off chunk plays, McLaurin won’t be the center of defensive attention, like he has been his entire career in Washington,” the report from FOX Sports read. “McLaurin, McConkey, and second-round draft pick Tre Harris would give Herbert a balanced and impactful receiving trio to lean on.”
The report continued: “The Chargers have endless hurdles to clear in the AFC. Sitting back and just banking on internal improvement sounds nice and is cost-effective, but if an opportunity to improve at a reasonable price emerges, it has to be pondered. McLaurin could be the jolt that the Chargers’ passing game needs.”
McLaurin’s Proven Track Record of Elite Production
Since Washington drafted him with the 76th overall pick in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, McLaurin has been one of the league’s most consistent receivers. The Ohio State product earned PFWA All-Rookie Team honors in 2019 and has since made two Pro Bowls (2022, 2025) and earned second-team All-Pro recognition in 2024.
His career numbers speak for themselves: 460 receptions for 6,379 yards and 38 touchdowns through six seasons. More impressively, McLaurin has maintained this production despite playing with seven different starting quarterbacks during his time in Washington.
Durability has been another hallmark of McLaurin’s career. After playing 14 and 15 games in his first two seasons, he hasn’t missed a game since, appearing in all 17 contests in each of the last four years. That reliability would be invaluable for a Chargers team looking to challenge the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens for AFC supremacy.
The financial aspect of any potential trade adds another layer of complexity. Washington would need significant compensation to part with their top receiver, especially given their own championship aspirations. The Commanders are coming off a 12-5 season and an NFC Championship appearance, making them unlikely sellers.
However, if contract negotiations remain stalled and McLaurin holds out or requests a trade, the dynamics could shift quickly. The Chargers have the draft capital and young talent to construct an appealing trade package, potentially including one of their current receivers to help Washington fill the void.
For Los Angeles, acquiring McLaurin would signal a commitment to maximizing Herbert’s prime years. The quarterback has already proven he can elevate average receivers, but pairing him with a true number one target like McLaurin could unlock the offense’s full potential.
The clock is ticking for both teams. Washington must decide whether to meet McLaurin’s salary demands or risk losing him for less than full value. Meanwhile, the Chargers need to determine if adding a proven commodity like McLaurin is worth the significant investment required.