Terry McLaurin, Commanders standoff reportedly 'will end' this way

Eyebrows were raised when it was learned over the weekend that the Washington Commanders had activated wide receiver Terry McLaurin off the active/physically unable to perform list after he missed practice time with a supposed ankle injury amid his desire for a multiyear contract extension. 

McLaurin is in the final year of his current deal and requested a trade on July 31. For an article published on Monday morning, ESPN's Ben Solak revealed that a recent visit to the Commanders during training camp left him believing there's only one realistic outcome regarding the situation involving Washington and McLaurin. 

"Not only can I not find anyone who believes wide receiver Terry McLaurin will play for another team in 2025," Solak wrote. "I can't find anyone who has a remotely plausible hypothetical in which McLaurin plays for another team in 2025. This section might better be called one thing I didn't hear: a way McLaurin actually gets out of Washington. I strongly believe this standoff will end with a compromise extension before Week 1."

McLaurin reportedly wants "parts" of the five-year, $150M contract that the Pittsburgh Steelers gave DK Metcalf as part of acquiring him from the Seattle Seahawks in March. While the Commanders seemingly aren't keen on giving a receiver who turns 30 years old in September that type of a deal, it's always been unlikely that they would trade the playmaker for a future draft asset coming off their trip to last season's NFC Championship Game. 

McLaurin finished last season with the second-most receiving touchdowns (13) in the league. He's the favorite target of quarterback and reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels, who is viewed by many as a legitimate candidate to win the Most Valuable Player Award for the upcoming season. 

As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Commanders tied for third (with the San Francisco 49ers and the Green Bay Packers) among the betting favorites at +950 odds to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LX this coming February.

The Commanders activating McLaurin suggests he may not be willing to forfeit money by sitting regular-season games out if he doesn't have a signed extension in hand when Washington opens the campaign with a home game against the New York Giants on Sept. 7. That said, it remains to be seen what type of "compromise extension" he could accept to take the field for that Week 1 matchup at Northwest Stadium.