Raiders trade target intensifying after recent revelation

When Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin missed out on mandatory minicamp, trade rumors began to fly around.

One of the teams listed as a potential landing spot was the Las Vegas Raiders. With unproven options behind Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers in the passing game and plenty of cap space remaining, the Raiders could have easily fit McLaurin on to their roster. However, most reports came with the caveat that McLaurin’s holdout was not as serious as others, and a deal was expected to come sooner rather than later.

One month later, and the situation has become one that the Raiders could take advantage of.

Terry McLaurin to the Raiders appears more plausible than ever before.

In a recent interview, McLaurin spoke about how frustrating the negotiations have been with the Commanders, suggesting the two sides have reached an impasse.

“I’ve been pretty frustrated, I’m not going to lie,” McLaurin said, per CBS Sports.

“Everything that has transpired up to this point has been disappointing and frustrating. I want to continue my career here, I’ve created my life here, my wife and I have bought our first home here. So this has been somewhere where I’ve always wanted to be. Just to see how things have played out has been disappointing. Obviously I understand everything is a business, but at the same time I want to put myself in a position where I’m valued and I feel appreciated and things like that. Unfortunately that hasn’t transpired the way I want it to, so I’m just trying to take things day by day.”

The news comes on the back of the New York Jets extending wide receiver Garrett Wilson to a four-year, $130 million extension on Monday, suggesting that the price tag on McLaurin just went up.

If the Commanders are unwilling to pay up, the Raiders could work their way into a position to land one of the most consistent wide receivers in the NFL. A third-round pick in 2019, McLaurin is one of six players to record at least 900 receiving yards in his first six seasons in the league. Last year, McLaurin caught 82 passes for 1,092 yards and a franchise-record 13 touchdowns as he helped carry the Commanders to an improbable run to the NFC Championship Game.

Opportunities such as this do not come around often, and a trade request from McLaurin should give Raiders general manager John Spytek the green light to make an offer.