Steelers predicted to trade star T.J. Watt to Commanders for Terry McLaurin in blockbuster move

The Washington Commanders are just weeks away from starting training camp for the 2025 NFL season and star wide receiver Terry McLaurin has yet to sign a contract extension. 

All offseason, the Commanders have been praised from media members and analysts around the league for the significant moves they have made coming off last year’s magical run to the NFC Championship game. 

The trades for Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil were massive. Those are two offensive talents that will start immediately and provide significant upgrades to the offense. In the NFL Draft, Washington used its first round pick on Oregon tackle Josh Conerly Jr. who is penciled in at right tackle opposite of Tunsil. 

On the defensive side of the ball, the Commanders added depth and talent, but didn’t necessarily make the big, splashy move. They brought in former first round DT Javon Kinlaw, signed veteran CB Jonathan Jones and drafted Ole Miss CB Tre Amos. 

While Washington’s secondary appears to be better than last year’s group, there’s still a massive void when it comes to having an elite pass rusher for 2025. 

Most Commanders fans would argue McLaurin is the second-most valuable player behind only Jayden Daniels. He developed clear chemistry with Daniels in 2024 and put together one of his best NFL seasons, finishing the year with over 1,000 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns, which marked a career high. 

On Tuesday, McLaurin met with the media and publicly expressed his frustration with the current contract negotiations with the Commanders brass, which have come to a standstill since early spring according to multiple reports. 

Washington’s No. 1 WR is heading into the final year of his contract and his seeking to be paid north of $30 million according to reports. That would put him in the top 10 paid wide receivers in the NFL. 

Meanwhile in Pittsburgh, star pass rusher T.J. Watt is in a similar situation with the Steelers. Like McLaurin, Watt is 30-years-old and while he’s one of the dominant pass rushers in the NFL, he’s likely seeking a contract with more time than the Steelers want to give him. 

Browns pass rusher Myles Garrett recently reset the market at his position with $40 million per year, so Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers are at a standstill. 

The Steelers Wire proposed a trade scenario where Pittsburgh swaps Watt for McLaurin and the pass rusher goes to D.C. while the Commanders star WR adds another weapon alongside DK Metcalf: 

In less than two weeks, the Pittsburgh Steelers will report to Saint Vincent College for minicamp and they could be without their best defensive player. The last time the Steelers and star edge defender T.J. Watt were in a contract dispute, Watt reported and "held in" at training camp but we don't expect him to be so willing this time around.

Meanwhile, in Washington, Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin is also hoping to get a raise and a new contract. Unlike Watt, McLaurin isn't looking to reset the market at his position but still feels like the level of production warrants a significant raise.

Watt and McLaurin are both among the best at their respective positions, have never been a problem for either of their teams, and are both consummate professionals. In addition, both teams could benefit from adding the other to the roster. McLaurin would be a perfect pairing with DK Metcalf, Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith and Watt instantly becomes the Commanders best edge rusher by a mile.