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Top four landing spots for Commanders' Terry McLaurin
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin. Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Top four landing spots for Commanders' Terry McLaurin

The Washington Commanders don't want to lose their No. 1 receiver but may have no choice now that Terry McLaurin has asked for a trade. If they do, these teams make the most sense.

Carolina Panthers

Adam Thielen had 48 catches for 615 yards to lead the NFL’s 30th-ranked passing offense in 2024. Unfortunately, he’ll turn 35 before the team travels to face the Patriots in Week 4. He also missed seven games with a hamstring injury last year, while McLaurin has missed just three in six seasons with the last coming in 2020.

The Panthers got 497 yards and four touchdowns from first-round pick Xavier Legette last season, but could get even more by pairing him with one of the NFL’s most consistent receivers. McLaurin is coming off his fifth-straight 1,000-yard season and a career high 13 touchdowns in 2024.

Indianapolis Colts

McLaurin was born in Indianapolis and was named Indiana's Mr. Football while playing for Cathedral High School in 2013. His hometown team could certainly use him. With the quarterback position still unsettled between Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson, an upgrade at wide receiver would only help last year’s 25th-ranked passing offense.

Alec Pierce led the Colts with 824 yards on 37 catches in 2024 but is hard to trust with a boom-or-bust 22.3 yards per catch average. Michael Pittman Jr. had 803 yards on 69 catches, but scored only three touchdowns.

With a 17-17 record since taking over as head coach of the Colts in 2023, Shane Steichen could be out of a job without a playoff appearance in 2025. McLaurin improves those odds no matter who plays quarterback.

Kansas City Chiefs

The defending AFC champions ranked 17th in yards (327.6) and 15th in points (22.6) in 2024. Tight end Travis Kelce led the team with a career-low 823 yards and averaged a career-worst 8.5 yards per catch while scoring just three touchdowns, tied for 81st with 34 other players.

Xavier Worthy had 638 yards and six scores as a rookie in 2024, but was briefly put in the concussion protocol in training camp for what was later determined to be an equilibrium issue caused by fluid in his ear. 

Rashee Rice, a second-round pick in 2023, had just 24 catches for 288 yards after missing 13 games with a knee injury last season. This year, he’s facing a multi-game suspension after fleeing the scene of a high-speed crash that earned him five years of probation and 30 days in jail.

A shoulder injury limited Marquise “Hollywood" Brown to nine catches in two regular season games last year, but was carted off the field in training camp with an ankle injury. Given the uncertainty at the position, the Chiefs front office will certainly check in on the Commanders receiver.

 New Orleans Saints

With a first-year head coach in Kellen Moore and rookie Tyler Shough expected to win the starting quarterback job, McLaurin could be the veteran presence the Saints need to move up in the NFC South.

After starting his career with two 1,000-yard seasons, a pair of concussions limited Chis Olave to 400 yards in eight games last season while Rashid Shaheed managed 349 yards in six games after tearing his meniscus in Week 7.

As a former offensive coordinator with Cowboys and Eagles, Moore is used to having top-flight receivers like A.J. Brown, CeeDee Lamb and DeVonta Smith on hand. McLaurin would give Shough a reliable target as the second-round pick learns the ropes of Moore’s offense.

Bruce Ewing

Bruce Ewing is 183 pounds of twisted steel and Happy Meals. His work has appeared on Yardbarker, 5th Down Fantasy, Inside the Iggles and MSN. Give a Philly fan a break and follow him on Twitter/X at @fantasybruce.

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