Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin. Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

Commanders reportedly sending clear message to Terry McLaurin suitors

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Aug 21, 2025 8:01 AM ET

The Washington Commanders are reportedly telling potential trade partners that star wide receiver Terry McLaurin is unavailable.

The wideout has reported to training camp but is still seeking a contract extension. (He's entering the final year of his deal and set to make $15.5M this season.) The former Ohio State Buckeyes star reportedly wants more money than Pittsburgh Steelers WR DK Metcalf, who signed a four-year, $132M deal this offseason.

Despite the impasse, Washington is still aiming to extend him before its regular-season opener against the New York Giants on Sept. 7.

"When you have conversations around the league about availability, Terry's not one of those," The Athletic's Dianna Russini said Wednesday on "Scoop City." "Teams are continuing to get the same answer, which is, 'We're trying to work out a deal here.'"

WR-needy teams may be interested in McLaurin, who turns 30 on Sept. 15. Russini previously tweeted the Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers have been monitoring the trade market for wideouts.

The Jets are among several teams monitoring the trade market for potential wide receiver additions, per sources. The 49ers and Vikings are also making calls.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) August 20, 2025

It's worth noting the 49ers are probably out of the WR market after acquiring WR Skyy Moore in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs on Wednesday.

The Commanders probably realize that keeping McLaurin would be better than trading him, even if they recoup multiple draft picks. He played a key role during Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels' phenomenal rookie season in 2024.

In 17 regular-season games, McLaurin tied for 19th in the league in receptions (82) and finished 15th in receiving yards (1,096) and second in touchdown catches (13).

The Commanders may be worried about the WR's age, but he's been one of the league's more consistent pass-catchers throughout his career. Since Washington took him with pick No. 76 in the 2019 NFL Draft, he has eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards five times. Perhaps he'll remain productive throughout his 30s.

McLaurin might be asking for more than the Commanders may have anticipated. However, they seem determined to pay him, not trade him.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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