Pro-Bowl wide receiver Terry McLaurin has reportedly begun to sit out of mandatory minicamp for the Washington Commanders.
McLaurin’s holdout is the latest news out of Washington that will make wide receiver-needy teams around the league look at their options to bring in the 27-year old out of Ohio State.
Terry McLaurin has had an excellent career so far since being a third round selection in 2019. In three seasons with Washington, the star has caught 222 passes for over 3,000 yards and 16 touchdowns. All this coming with a different cast of characters at quarterback over the last few years.
McLaurin’s latest move is a big move for players looking for new deals.
While other receivers and players like Ravens quarterback, Lamar Jackson have been looking for new deals, those that have shown up to minicamp and practices usually are a sign of a player showing good faith in the organization.
McLaurin sitting out is a big statement that could reverberate throughout the league. Here are a few teams that could show interest in the underrated phenom.
New York Jets
Much has been made about the Jets being one of the two final bidders for former Chief All-Pro, Tyreek Hill. Even though New York missed out on Hill, they have been looking for a number one wide receiver to pair with second year quarterback, Zach Wilson all off-season.
Terry McLaurin would be a no-brainer for the Jets if they could find common ground on a deal with Washington, and a contract McLaurin would be happy to play under.
While Wilson doesn’t have the allure of top quarterbacks that others below have, the Jets have plenty of cap space to throw at a dynamic player in Terry McLaurin. And it’s been clear that a number one wide receiver is instrumental in the further development of young passers.
Indianapolis Colts
If Washington were to trade Terry McLaurin, the Jets would make the most sense because they have the most resources to complete a trade.
The Colts have something the Jets don’t have though: a proven quarterback, and a personal connection to the former Ohio State product.
Growing up in Indianapolis, it may be too much of a dream come true for McLaurin to play in front of the city that he grew up in. And while Matt Ryan is clearly in the twilight of his career, the work and numbers he put up with Roddy White, Julio Jones and even Calvin Ridley show that McLaurin could be one of the top receivers in targets next season.
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers shocked the football world when they traded Devante Adams to Las Vegas this off-season. While the team did get a very solid rookie in Christian Watson, the team could definitely be in the market for a number one wide receiver again.
Terry McLaurin’s numbers with Aaron Rodgers could be just as good as when Adams was on the team as well.
While unlikely to spend all that money on a receiver after bolstering the defense and offensive line, the Packers are in need of more firepower, and McLaurin could be exactly what the team needs.
New England Patriots
Jet fans, look away.
The Patriots don’t have the current cap space to make this deal and the resources the team has is pretty small in comparison to the Jets and Colts.
While the team made a move for Devante Parker to bolster a receiving core with Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor, the team is still without a number one wideout.
If the Terry McLaurin saga goes longer into training camp, and more bitter between the team and player being unable to find common ground on a contract, the value of the player could dwindle in a trade.
If that happens, no-one should be surprised if Bill Belichick swoops in to try and get the 1,000-yard receiver.
Plus, no-one screws over the Jets better than Bill Belichick.
Terry McLaurin’s Current Contract Situation
McLaurin is in the final year of his rookie contract and is looking for a big pay day. No-one can really blame him either.
While Washington has continuously said they are not looking to ship McLaurin and that contract talks are still on-going, it’s again fair to point out that sitting out of mandatory minicamp is a huge difference when a player is looking for a new deal.
With a player missing out on mandatory workouts, it means that the team is now left with the undesirable position to discipline the player. Whether it be through large fines, or giving the receiver an excused absence, Washington is in a very tough bind with their best offensive player.
And the longer this progresses, the more likely the Jets and other teams will be waiting in the wing.
