Broncos Urged to Trade for $69 Million Pro Bowler After Eyebrow-Raising Decision

The Denver Broncos could have the ideal environment for a player like two-time Pro Bowler and veteran wide receiver Terry McLaurin, whose trade request has created rampant speculation about where he could land.

“BREAKING: #Commanders All-Pro WR Terry McLaurin has requested a trade, multiple sources tell me,” Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reported on July 31.

The Broncos have been floated as a potential landing spot by multiple outlets in the aftermath.

“I’m OK with Commanders trading Terry McLaurin,” Fox Sports Radio’s Jason Smith posted on X on July 31 in reaction to the request. “They’re Jayden Daniels driven & he makes everyone better. McLaurin has been good but not great and is 29. Teams I’d call/that should call for a trade? Bills & Broncos.”

Fantasy Life’s Ian Hartitz called the Broncos a “lots of fun” destination in a post on X. Sleeper Broncos raised eyebrows over Schultz’s report, asking if the Broncos should go “all in” on a trade for McLaurin. DNVR Broncos also wondered if Denver should trade for McLaurin.

McLaurin caught 82 passes for 1,096 yards and 13 touchdowns during the 2024 regular season, and he has crossed the 1,000-yard mark in five of his six NFL seasons.

The Broncos may have indirectly had an impact on McLaurin’s trade request.

Broncos’ $92 Million Decision May Have Influenced Terry McLaurin Trade Request

The Broncos signed wideout Courtland Sutton to a four-year, $92 million contract extension, and Yahoo’s Matt Harmon expressed his belief that it may have acted as a tipping point in McLaurin’s relationship with the Commanders.

“My guess is the Broncos giving another 29-year-old WR a deal that averaged $10 mil less per year than what McLaurin wants did not make this already contentious negotiation any easier,” Harmon posted on X on July 31. “Washington is seemingly hung up on age here, which might be fair. Also fair, Terry is much better than Courtland Sutton and has a right to ask for the DK Metcalf per year money.”

Metcalf inked a four-year, $132 million deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who acquired him and a 2025 sixth-round pick in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks for second and seventh-rounders.

This Heavy Sports Broncos trade proposal would send a similar package for McLaurin:

Broncos get:

• Terry McLaurin
• 2026 seventh-round pick

Commanders get:

• 2026 second-round pick
• 2026 fifth-round pick

The framework of a potential Broncos trade for McLaurin may be the simplest part to figure out.

The Broncos have $12.6 million in space, per Over the Cap. A deal for McLaurin that surpasses what Metcalf received would at least start at the $11 million cap hit the latter carries in 2025.

That would also make McLaurin the Broncos’ highest-paid player, while they have several incumbents – like 2024 second-team All-Pros Nik Bonnito, who was also a Pro Bowler, and Zach Allen – to address.

Broncos Young WRs Showing Well in Training Camp

Ideas about a trade sending McLaurin to the Broncos have floated around even before the Broncos added 2025 third-round pick Pat Bryant and veteran special teamer to the WR room.

Since then, however, Bryant and some of his fellow youngsters have turned heads in training camp. The former Illini star has lived up to his billing from head coach Sean Payton as a strong route runner and jump-ball playmaker.

Moreover, 2024 fourth-rounder Troy Franklin Jr., Bo Nix’s college teammate, is also coming on.

The Broncos have second-year man Devaughn Vele, who turns 28 in December, and two-time Pro Bowl return man Marvin Mims Jr., both of whom made impacts last season.

A trade for McLaurin, who has in the final year of a three-year, $69 million deal, could put the Broncos over the top in the AFC West, if not more. It would also elevate Nix’s array of playmaking options. However, the logistics seemingly favor the Broncos sitting out such a pursuit.