Wide receiver Terry McLaurin has formally requested a trade, shaking up the Washington Commanders’ offseason and sparking plenty of talk about where he could land next. The move comes after contract extension talks stalled. McLaurin is reportedly frustrated by the lack of progress and the team’s unwillingness to meet his asking price.
After Trade Request, Terry McLaurin Predicted To Join Forces with Former Ohio State Teammates
McLaurin, 29, held out for the first four days of training camp before reporting on July 27, avoiding daily fines of $50,000. Though present, he’s been designated a “hold-in,” placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list due to an ankle injury sustained last season. Despite participating in spring workouts, McLaurin hasn’t practiced at camp, saying he wants to see “progression” in talks before returning to the field.
The Commanders have publicly maintained they won’t trade McLaurin, but league insiders suggest the situation is fluid. With one year remaining on his three-year, $68 million extension signed in 2022, McLaurin is reportedly seeking a deal to pay him north of $30 million annually.
If Washington decides to trade their star wideout, there won’t be a shortage of interest. One possible landing spot? The New York Jets, where McLaurin would reunite with former Ohio State teammates: quarterback Justin Fields and wide receiver Garrett Wilson.
Citing their need for additional help at the wide receiver position, Alex Hanczar of PFSN identified New York as an ideal landing spot for McLaurin.
“The Jets have not been quiet in the 2025 offseason, filling holes at numerous positions,” Hanczar wrote. “With Adams gone, the wide receiver room may be in need of attention. Behind Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard looks to serve as the WR2 with players like Tyler Johnson, Xavier Gipson, and Josh Reynolds competing for the next spot.”
Although the Jets may face challenges fitting McLaurin into their available cap space, Hanczar believes it would be worthwhile.
“Coming in just around $30 million in cap space, adding McLaurin may be tight. Although his services would bolster an already high-potential Jets offense entering 2025,” Hanczar concluded.
If a trade materialized, it would reunite McLaurin with two fellow Buckeyes and signal New York’s commitment to surrounding Fields with reliable weapons. For Washington, this would begin a transition at wide receiver that could impact the NFC landscape this season.
The Commanders hold the third-best odds to win the NFC, but those chances would likely nosedive if McLaurin is traded. While conventional wisdom suggests McLaurin and Washington will ultimately find common ground, the current stalemate and public trade request paint a grim picture of negotiations unraveling fast.
