Is Commanders' Terry McLaurin willing to request a trade to receive desired contract extension?

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin generated headlines when he said last week that he has "been pretty frustrated" over the fact that he hasn't received a big-money contract extension ahead of training camp. 

For an update shared on Monday, NFL reporter Henry McKenna of Fox Sports touched upon McLaurin's mindset as veteran Washington players prepare to report to camp on Tuesday. 

"McLaurin hasn’t announced whether he’ll attend the Washington Commanders’ training camp if the two sides can't agree on a contract extension," McKenna explained. "He also hasn’t decided whether he’ll ask for a trade. McLaurin, an All-Pro receiver and team captain, is most interested in 'trying to bring a deal together, not breaking the team apart,' according to a source close to McLaurin."

Commanders fans may feel that's a promising update regarding McLaurin's intentions for the upcoming season. However, McKenna added that the source also revealed that "everything will be on the table" for McLaurin, including asking for a trade. 

McLaurin could also stay away from the team through the start of training camp or participate in a "hold-in" that involves the 29-year-old relegating himself to individual drills during practices until he signs an extension. 

McLaurin is in the final year of his current contract after he ended the 2024 regular season with the league's second-most touchdown catches (13) and after he became the favorite target of reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels. There's currently no indication that a Washington team that's coming off an appearance in the NFC Championship Game and that has Daniels on an inexpensive contract would let McLaurin explore a trade during the preseason.

"McLaurin is taking things day-by-day in hopes of hearing more from the Commanders, who have not talked to him about his contract in weeks — even after he spoke out about his dissatisfaction," McKenna continued. 

Interestingly, McKenna also said that "it’s easy to imagine that McLaurin would be interested in working out something similar to" the five-year, $150M deal that the Pittsburgh Steelers handed wide receiver DK Metcalf after they acquired him from the Seattle Seahawks. It's unclear if Washington is willing to pay McLaurin roughly $33M per year.

As of Monday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Commanders sixth among the betting favorites at +1800 odds to win Super Bowl LX . It seems unlikely that Washington would find a like-for-like McLaurin replacement before September, so logic suggests the club should eventually pay him before it opens the regular season with a matchup versus the New York Giants on Sept. 7.