Terry McLaurin Logan Bowles/GettyImages

Commanders urged to pay or trade Terry McLaurin (and the right move is obvious)

Originally posted on Riggo's Rag | By Dean Jones | Last updated Jul 12, 2025 8:00 AM ET

The Washington Commanders haven't gotten any closer to resolving wide receiver Terry McLaurin's contract situation, and training camp is fast approaching. One NFL insider believes general manager Adam Peters must choose between two franchise-altering scenarios.

Either pay McLaurin what he wants, or contemplate the prospect of trading the second-team All-Pro wide receiver.

That is a simple choice for fans. McLaurin is an exceptional player and a supreme locker room leader with a strong community presence. It's a no-brainer, but the Commanders are running their football operation like a business for the first time in decades.

Commanders urged to pay or trade Terry McLaurin, and the choice is simple

Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk thought McLaurin's demands are way higher than the Commanders are willing to pay right now during an appearance on The Team 980. And if no middle ground can be reached, he thought Peters might be wise to extract maximum value for the wideout while he can.

I'm surprised they haven't worked it out yet, but it tells me that [Terry] McLaurin must want a hell of a lot more than the Commanders have budgeted. You've got two choices: pay the guy or don't. And if you're not going to pay him, then trade him to someone who will. But if you're trying to parlay last year into a step forward this year and your guy's not happy, you either need to get him happy or you need to think about moving on. Either get him happy, or think about alternatives.Mike Florio via The Team 980

Mike Florio's take on the McLaurin impasse: 'It tells me he wants a hell of a lot more than what the Commanders have budgeted.' pic.twitter.com/n3HOoyQnoN
— The Team 980 (@team980) July 11, 2025

Trading McLaurin isn't in anyone's thought process. He's a pivotal part of the franchise's fabric. Letting him leave is not an option.

Peters will know McLaurin's value to the organization. He'll also have a specific price in mind for a receiver approaching 30 years old. This will be the former third-round pick's last chance to get a lucrative long-term deal, so he'll have every right to stand firm.

The fact that fans aren't panicking too much is a testament to McLaurin's professionalism and their trust in Peters. Dan Quinn is keeping the Ohio State product engaged during his time away from the team. But if this drags on into training camp, it'll become a massive distraction they don't need.

Trading McLaurin only becomes possible if he lets the Commanders know he won't sign any contract, regardless of what's offered. That seems highly unlikely given his love for the franchise, so fans are confident a compromise can be reached.

Just when that'll be is debatable. And the clock is ticking.