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One Huge Problem With Bills' Proposed Terry McLaurin Trade

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Jun 25, 2025 10:19 PM ET

Here we go again with the Buffalo Bills and the "need" for another star receiver for Josh Allen.

After a 2024 season that saw Allen win MVP and help the offense average 30.9 points a game en route to the AFC Championship game without a true No. 1, we don't think there is a big need.

Granted, it would be nice, but the Bills aren't in a dire situation where they need one.

That brings us to the Washington Commanders' disgruntled receiver, Terry McLaurin, who is going through a contract saga.

Bleacher Report's Mitchel Milani has examined a potential trade for McLaurin that involves Buffalo sending Curtis Samuel and a first-round pick to Washington, in exchange for Terry and a fifth-round pick.

“I think Terry McLaurin would be perfect for Josh Allen,” Milani said. “He can get down the field and stretch the defense out and that also is going to make guys like Khalil Shakir underneath the defense, [Keon] Coleman as the jump ball specialist on the outside a better player. That will help Dalton Kincaid find the soft spots in the zone. Having a player on the outside that can win down the field is going to make the Bills pretty much an unstoppable offense.”

Right. The idea is solid, and yes, McLaurin on Joe Brady's offense would be something special, so Milani is right there.

However, we don't have to dig too far to see that this move, while not impossible, is close to it. At the time of writing, per Over The Cap, the Bills have just $100,700 in cap space.

Trade idea gone.

Plus, the Bills are still trying to figure out a way for James Cook to get roughly $15 million in his new deal. Will the franchise then add a receiver who will earn at least $30 million APY? We don't think so.

Oh, and Washington trading away its best offensive player after going "all in" this offseason? Yeah, that's another hole in this idea.

So while the Bills trading for McLaurin is a fun thought, it doesn't take too long to figure out it simply isn't feasible for either party.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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