Terry McLaurin's Trade Ploy Key In Commanders' Contract Talks

The Washington Commanders and Terry McLaurin's relationship appears to be on thin ice, or at least that is what is appears to be on face value.

However, as we know, contract negotiations are always a tricky thing to navigate. With McLaurin holding out and then reporting to camp in the hope of getting a deal done, the star receiver has now reportedly requested a trade.

Cue the mass hysteria from fans about No. 17 being dealt this offseason.

Not so fast.

We have seen the "trade request" be used as a key contract ploy before.

Do we remember Lamar Jackson and Myles Garrett? Both wanted new deals, didn't get them, then the trade request happened, and miraculously, those new contracts followed soon after.

Granted, we are projecting here, but the same thing could happen with McLaurin.

He'll get his money, there's no doubt. This trade request is the last lever to pull in an attempt to force through a new contract. Because let's face it, Washington isn't trading away its best offensive weapon in a year when they are considered a Super Bowl contender. Without McLaurin, they aren't.

The Commanders wouldn't have gone all-in for Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil this offseason, just to then let McLaurin be traded away to another team. It doesn't make sense.

Given how slow the talks have reportedly gone, requesting a trade was the only thing McLaurin had left to do.

Should it have gotten this far? No, but will McLaurin actually be traded away?

We think that's a no as well.