Commanders analyst torches Terry McLaurin with harsh truth after trade request

Terry McLaurin's trade request sent shockwaves through the Washington Commanders' fan base. And yet, it might not change all that much where general manager Adam Peters' thought process is concerned.

One analyst agrees, providing a brutal reality check to McLaurin as his contract standoff gets uglier than ever.

McLaurin is reportedly looking for north of $30 million per season on his next deal. He feels undervalued, and the wide receiver let his frustrations be known during an uncharacteristic media outburst before training camp. This culminated in a holdout, a hold-in, and now, a trade request.

Commanders still holds the leverage despite Terry McLaurin's trade request

This was a disappointing development, but it's pretty standard procedure in the modern-day NFL. Players try to flex their muscles and force the issue. This is the best way to gain headlines and pile on the pressure. Washington's old regime would have wilted long ago, but Peters runs a much tighter ship.

Al Galdi made this abundantly clear with a telling statement. A respected voice in Washington sports left no doubt that the Commanders still hold all the cards. And if any deal is going to happen, it'll be on Peters' terms.

The leverage in the Terry McLaurin situation is overwhelmingly with the Commanders. He's under contract for 2025, and then the team can franchise-tag him for 2026 and even 2027. Can play this year-to-year. If an extension is gonna happen, it's gonna happen on Adam Peters' terms.Al Galdi

McLaurin could turn this into a Haason Reddick or Le'Veon Bell situation if he wants. That's going to completely fracture his long-standing relationship with the franchise and the fan base, so it seems unlikely. This game of chicken has gone on way longer than most envisaged, but the Commanders are right to hold firm for a deal that benefits them.

It'll be fascinating to see what comes next. Peters' phone will be ringing today; there's no getting away from that. Any firm trade offers will likely be refused, and Washington will continue to hammer things out with McLaurn's agent in pursuit of a successful resolution.

That remains the likeliest outcome. Peters is a smart guy, and fans have been clamoring for decades to have someone like this running the football operation. Whether it's a franchise cornerstone like McLaurin or someone way down the pecking order, they all get treated with a business-first mindset that always puts the team first.

The Commanders hold the cards. McLaurin's agent might think he's got the upper hand, but he's sorely mistaken.

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