Terry McLaurin Trade Proposal Would Redefine Offseason
Terry McLaurin Trade Proposal Would Redefine Offseason originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Washington Commanders have done a good job of appreciating the gift they've been given in quarterback Jayden Daniels. General manager Adam Peters has met the moment by adding tackle Laremy Tunsil and receiver Deebo Samuel, among others, to a team that was a win away from the Super Bowl in 2024.
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However, as receiver Terry McLaurin's contract negotiations continue to stall, some have grown worried about his potential departure. Speculation, subsequently, has run rampant, sending McLaurin to several contenders.
One such proposal from Bleacher Report sent McLaurin and a third-round pick to the Los Angeles Chargers for receiver Quentin Johnston, a second-round pick, and a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Simply put, a McLaurin trade would redefine the Commanders' offseason.
'McLaurin would walk into L.A. as Herbert's top perimeter target and would instantly elevate the passing game,' Kristopher Knox wrote. 'For a team looking to leapfrog the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West and make a deep postseason push, that would be huge.
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'And like the Cardinals ($40.9 million), the Chargers should have the cap space ($27.9 million) needed to work out a long-term extension with McLaurin.'
The crux of this speculation revolves around an extension McLaurin is yet to sign. With five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons to his name, McLaurin has earned the right to be paid like a top receiver. Anything less from Washington's part would feel like malpractice.
McLaurin has endured some of the darkest seasons in franchise history and came out on the other side, thriving with a franchise quarterback. The Commanders' cap is healthy enough to hand out an extension, and he plays an integral role on the boundary in this offense.
Samuel was an aggressive addition that deserves to be praised, but nobody is suggesting he's without risk. Is Washington truly willing to enter the year with Samuel as its leading receiver?
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'Los Angeles could send Johnston to Washington in the deal,' Knox wrote. 'While the TCU product hasn't played up to his draft status yet (1,142 yards in two seasons), he has intriguing upside, is only 23 years old and is starting to adapt to the NFL game. …
'With up to three years left on Johnston's rookie contract—including the fifth-year option—he could be valuable enough for Washington to justify a Day-2 pick swap instead of an outright second-rounder.'
Johnston took a step forward in 2024. Still, he's yet to fulfill his promise and wouldn't be getting some significant jump under center that other receivers could pin their hopes on. The Commanders would instantly have the worst receiving corps in the division, and possibly the worst among all Super Bowl contenders.
Doing so for the right to move up on Day 2 (while still giving up draft capital) would set Washington back to square one. It would take away a superstar quarterback's best weapon for a marginal increase in draft capital and stunt an offseason's worth of progress.
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Getting an extension signed should be Washington's top priority. If the trade offers aren't wildly favorable, it would be more worthwhile to let McLaurin compete for a Super Bowl and deal with the consequences later.
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Related: Trade Speculation as McLaurin Extension Talks Stall
Related: Commanders Star Laremy Tunsil Oozes Excitement About Teammates
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
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