If the Washington Commanders and NFL All-Pro wide receiver Terry McLaurin truly find themselves at an impasse with a contract extension, then the next, most logical step would be a trade that maximizes McLaurin’s value for both sides.
To that end, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox identified the rebuilding New England Patriots as a possible trade destination for McLaurin, who landed in the No. 9 spot on Bleacher Report’s “Big Trade Block Board” headed into the final month before training camp starts.
“With good deep speed, great route skills and a knack for finding space in the secondary, McLaurin would be a tremendous asset for any team looking to develop a young signal-caller,” Knox wrote on June 21. “Of course, that’s precisely why Washington won’t be eager to let him go. Still, there’s a non-zero chance that a contract standoff forces the Commanders to make a drastic move … New England has a promising second-year quarterback in Drake Maye who could use a reliable pass-catcher like McLaurin.”
There would be some irony in the Patriots going after McLaurin, who has been one of the NFL’s most reliable and talented stars over his career, because he would likely be replacing one of the NFL’s most unreliable but talented players in Stefon Diggs.
Cliff Notes on Drama Between Patriots, Diggs
The Patriots signed Diggs to a 3-year, $63.5 million free agent contract on March 28 despite the 4-time Pro Bowler and 2-time NFL All-Pro coming off a serious knee injury in 2024 after he tore his ACL in Week 8 while playing for the Houston Texans.
Diggs responded to his new contract with a Bad Headline Offseason for the ages when he was filmed holding a baggie of an unidentified pink substance which appeared to be the street drug “Tusi” or “Pink Cocaine” while partying on a boat on Memorial Day weekend alongside girlfriend and international pop star Cardi B.
Pink Cocaine is commonly a mix of powders between Ketamine and MDMA — Ecstasy — that is dyed pink to attract younger customers. After the video, there’s been some speculation as to if Diggs might even end up taking the field for the Patriots this season.
“It’s something that we’re aware of,” Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said after the video went viral. “Obviously, we want to make great decisions on and off the field.”
Cliff Notes on Drama Between Commanders, McLaurin
The drama between the Commanders and McLaurin isn’t as salacious as what’s going on with Diggs — this one boils down to cold, hard cash.
McLaurin is entering the final season of the 3-year, $68.36 million contract extension he signed in June 2022 and is due approximately $19.65 million in 2025, which would bring his career earnings to $76 million over 7 seasons.
McLaurin is a proven WR1 on a Super Bowl contender and seeking a significant raise that signifies as much — one that would put his annual salary around $30 million per year or higher. He’s also coming off the best season of his career in 2024 and has 5 consecutive 1,000 yard receiving seasons. McLaurin, to this point, has been missing from Washington’s offseason activities.
