The Washington Commanders may be heading for a standoff with one of their most respected veterans. While a new deal for Terry McLaurin still feels likely, the clock is ticking, and at least one AFC team is keeping a very close eye on the situation.
Terry McLaurin Drawing Interest From Patriots Amid Unsettled Contract
Wide receiver wasn’t supposed to be on the New England Patriots’ radar anymore. They already traded for Stefon Diggs, who is working his way back from a torn ACL. But as contract talks between McLaurin and the Commanders stall, NFL insider Albert Breer believes New England could pounce if things fall apart.
The idea isn’t just speculation. Breer laid it out clearly on “Arbella Early Edition,” saying that if McLaurin hits the trade market, “the Patriots would be very interested.” The assessment makes sense. With a second-year quarterback in Drake Maye and limited depth behind Diggs, New England could use a sure-handed veteran who’s produced regardless of who was throwing him the football.
“This is a guy who has been a team captain for a long time, exemplary character, all of that, so my anticipation is that the Commanders are going to take a swing at getting something done with him over the course of the next week just because it makes too much sense for both sides. I think the Patriots would be very interested in this.”
McLaurin, 6’0”, 210 pounds, has topped 1,000 yards in five straight seasons, almost always in the absence of elite quarterback play. In 2024, he posted 82 catches, 1,096 yards, and a career-high 13 touchdowns while establishing instant chemistry with Jayden Daniels. He’s a two-time Pro Bowler with a reputation as a locker-room leader and captain, exactly the kind of player New England has traditionally valued.
Is Washington Running Out of Time To Extend McLaurin?
McLaurin isn’t asking for a trade, but his frustration is no secret. He told reporters earlier this week that the lack of progress on a new deal makes it “hard to see how I step on the field.” At the same time, he stressed that he wants to stay in Washington, but as he put it, “it takes two to tango.”
The 29-year-old is entering the final year of a three-year extension signed in 2022. If the Commanders can’t reach an agreement soon, it could become a critical situation for the team during an important phase of their rebuild with Daniels.
And that’s where teams like the Patriots come in.
What a McLaurin Trade Could Cost Interested Teams
Any deal for McLaurin would come at a cost, and not just a draft pick. As Breer noted, McLaurin won’t be traded without a new contract in place. That likely means a multi-year extension and a cap hit New England would have to prepare for.
Still, with few proven pass catchers left on the market and questions around Diggs’ health, the Patriots could view McLaurin as the missing piece to accelerate Maye’s development. If Washington lets this situation fester, the Commanders might end up giving another second-year quarterback exactly what their own sophomore signal-caller needs.
