Without any surprise, the Washington Commanders All-Pro wide receiver Terry McLaurin is absent from minicamp this week. According to several reports, the wideout is one of the several players who were away from team activities, and it doesn’t look like it will get better for Washington. After leaving during voluntary workouts in frustration over contract negotiations, the Commanders will have to act fast to strike a new deal. Originally selected in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, the former Ohio State product is entering the final year of his contract, which he earned from his extension three years ago. It shouldn’t be surprising if McLaurin winds up demanding more money this time around, as he’s coming off the most productive season, recording 13 touchdown receptions for 1,096 receiving yards.
The wide receiver always finds himself making an impact for the team, even though the circumstances weren’t in the Commanders’ favor for a couple of years. Despite the Deebo Samuel trade this offseason, McLaurin is still the projected No. 1 receiver for Jayden Daniels‘ offense, who is coming off a stellar rookie year, so they can’t afford to miss their top weapon for any more days. While head coach Dan Quinn and teammate Samuel are optimistic that a deal will happen, there is no guarantee that the Commanders will give him a contract in the ballpark of what DK Metcalf, Mike Evans or Davante Adams just got this offseason. McLaurin may just want more, and these three teams could give him just that and join forces with a legitimate long-term wideout that can change the course of their offenses.
Breaking: Commanders All-Pro Terry McLaurin Absent From Minicamp, Trade Rumors Continue to Swirl
3 Logical Destinations
Los Angeles Chargers
If anyone can continue to bring out the best in wide receiver Terry McLaurin, it’s quarterback Justin Herbert. The Los Angeles Chargers finally added some weapons to hopefully solidify their passing game, but it hasn’t been anything as promising. Veteran Mike Williams is washed up, and Quentin Johnston needs to step up drastically if he wants to keep a job with the Chargers and they have an unproven Tre Harris, who will need all the time to adjust to the league. While they were close to getting DK Metcalf this offseason, it’s not too late to make a splash for a reliable playmaker to change the offense for years to come.
The Chargers have the weapons to maybe take Herbert to a wild-card, but they need explosiveness. This is what 2024 draft pick Ladd McConkey needs to continue to develop after having a breakout rookie year. McLaurin is easily the No. 1 talent, and the Chargers have the cap space to compensate for a long-term deal.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been monitoring the McLaurin contract situation for the Commanders. This means the team is still on the hunt to add another WR2 to help Metcalf and Aaron Rodgers’s debut come week one. Even though Roman Wilson and Calvin Austin have bright futures, they’re not necessarily ready for full-time one-on-one situations against defenders. McLaurin is a true deep threat and could help Rodgers lead this team to their first Super Bowl since the Ben Roethlisberger era.
Baltimore Ravens
However, no one should rule out a trade coming from the Baltimore Ravens. The team has always lacked a consistent WR3 after going through Odell Beckham Jr., Diontae Johnson, Nelson Agholor and now DeAndre Hopkins. They don’t have the cap space, but after re-signing Rashod Bateman to a new contract, they could switch him easily to the slot and have Zay Flowers and McLaurin take care of the deep balls.
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