Commanders predicted to trade Terry McLaurin to AFC West for No.1 WR and 2nd round pick

The Washington Commanders have had all offseason to get a contract extension done with their star WR — Terry McLaurin — and after a week of training camp in the rear view mirror, the two sides seem further apart than ever. 

There appeared to be some optimism about a deal getting done soon when McLaurin showed up at camp after holding out the first few days. He was immediately put on the PUP list, and while Commanders officials and media members cited a lingering ankle injury as the reason, there’s speculation it was an agreement between McLaurin and the team so he wouldn’t get fined as the two sides continue to negotiate. 

But after months of frustration from McLaurin’s side, the standoff between the star WR and the Washington Commanders took a drastic turn on Thursday night. Multiple NFL insiders reported that McLaurin has officially requested a trade. 

On July 15, McLaurin held an impromptu press conference after filming a commercial for a car dealership. The Commanders WR, who is typically quiet, humble and likes to stay out of the spotlight, didn’t hold back on his frustration at the lack of progress in regards to a new contract. 

"I've been pretty frustrated, I'm not going to lie," he said, via JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington.

"Everything that has transpired up to this point has been disappointing and frustrating. I want to continue my career here. I've created my life here. My wife and I bought our first home here. So this has been somewhere I've always wanted to be. Just to see how things have played out has been disappointing. Obviously, I understand everything's a business. But at the same time, I want to put myself in a position where I'm valued, I feel appreciated and things like that. Unfortunately, that hasn't transpired the way I want it to. I'm just trying to take things day by day. At the beginning of this process, I honestly just wanted for things to work out. I thought things would be more progressed than they have. So at this point, it's kind of up in the air."

So far, the Commanders brass has been adamant they have no plan to trade McLaurin as they are coming off a trip to the NFC Championship game last season and spent the offseason adding weapons on both sides of the ball to make a run to the Super Bowl. 

It will be interesting to see how they react to McLaurin’s trade request, but since it hit the airwaves, there have been plenty of predictions on where he will land. 

Bleacher Report put together a piece highlighting the five best trade packages for McLaurin and they think the Las Vegas Raiders could be a suitor that makes sense. 

Las Vegas Raiders Get: WR Terry McLaurin

Washington Commanders Get: 2026 2nd-round pick, Jakobi Meyers

The Las Vegas Raiders have a new-look offense with quarterback Geno Smith, whom they acquired from the Seattle Seahawks. They also have a young receiver unit behind Jakobi Meyers. Las Vegas selected Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton Jr. in the second and fourth rounds, respectively, of this year's draft.

According to the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, the Raiders have engaged with Meyers' camp about an extension.

If the Raiders are willing to give Meyers a new deal, why not offer him, along with a second-round pick, for a more accomplished receiver who's only a year older?

The Raiders can build the passing attack around All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers and McLaurin for the foreseeable future, while they develop Bech and Thornton in complementary roles.

Last year, Meyers proved that he can be a go-to target in a passing attack after Davante Adams requested a trade from Las Vegas. The seventh-year wideout went on to record career highs in catches (87) and receiving yards (1,027). Commanders quarterback Jayen Daniels can depend on Meyers as his most reliable target.

From the Raiders' perspective, McLaurin would be an upgrade over Meyers. McLaurin has racked up 1,000-plus receiving yards in five consecutive terms, while Meyers has only one such season in his career.