Commanders Trade Terry McLaurin for T.J. Watt in Blockbuster Prediction

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Commanders Trade Terry McLaurin for T.J. Watt in Blockbuster Prediction originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Washington Commanders star Terry McLaurin remains an impasse with the organization over his incoming contract extension.
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The wide receiver is coming off the best season of his six-year career in the nation's capital - it was also the team's most successful year in over three decades.
McLaurin was an integral part of Washington's high-powered offense, led by electrifying rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. As much as they would want to keep him, McLaurin could demand a top-of-the-market contract value that the Commanders may not feel comfortable with, especially as tensions have been high with the two parties for months.
This had led to endless speculation about McLaurin's trade potential. His value is as high as it's ever been, and Washington could scrape together much-needed financial flexibility to help the rest of the roster if they move on from McLaurin.
The pass rush is a major concern with the loss of a double-digit sack total in Dante Fowler Jr. Over in the AFC North, there's a notable edge rusher that has also been the center of holdout and trade discussions.
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FOX Sports' David Helman linked the Commanders to potentially trade McLaurin to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for disgruntled edge rusher T.J. Watt, the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year.
"Why not indulge one delusional fantasy with another? If Washington were to trade Terry McLaurin, they'd be opening some financial wiggle room to add another lucrative player," Helman said.
"They could get at least two, if not three, years of play out of Watt before they have to worry about extending Jayden Daniels. They definitely need the pass rush help. Watt would give Dan Quinn a blue chip player, which he doesn't really have right now, on his Commanders' defense."
Watt will also command a hefty salary, but to Helman's point, it works out similarly financially with three years to go before reaching the end of Daniels' rookie deal. That allows the Commanders to add a cornerstone piece to the defense, which is a larger benefit than the loss of McLaurin to the offense.
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Washington already added Deebo Samuel to the receiving corps this offseason along with multiple exciting rookies. They don't match the production of McLaurin, but they provide less headache and should be able to perform well enough to get by. The Commanders also bring back the same running back as last season, but Daniels' is the ultimate catalyst on that end, too.
This blockbuster trade would no doubt be the most significant transaction of the offseason for both teams. McLaurin would pair nicely with newcomer quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who might finally have an All-Pro receiver in what could be the final year of his illustrious career.
The Steelers have shown no indication about moving on from a pillar of their historic franchise's modern era, but the longer his contract dispute drags on, the more frustration could creep in and urge a move.
For Washington, Watt would immediately transform the defense into as large a threat in the NFC as the offense was last season ... and that's a scary thought after the Commanders took the league by storm and were a game away from the Super Bowl.
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The deal works both ways ... but it means each franchise has to give up on a foundational part in their recent success.
Plus the teams would still have to end up paying top dollar for a new contract ... which they're each currently avoiding in the first place.
Related: Commanders' Terry McLaurin $37 Million Contract Demand Called 'Outrageous' By Insider
Related: Commanders Trade Rumor Suggests Terry McLaurin for First-Round Pick in 'Redefining' Move
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.