By Conor Ryan
July 31, 2025
The Patriots’ much-maligned receiver corps received a lift this summer with the signing of veteran Stefon Diggs.
But, as New England tries to surround Drake Maye with even more talent going into the 2025 season, the Patriots could have another tantalizing target on the market in Washington Commanders standout Terry McLaurin.
After months of speculation, the 29-year-old Washington receiver requested a trade from the Commanders amid an ongoing contract dispute, per Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz.
McLaurin, who will turn 30 in September, is entering the final year of his contract where is set to earn $15.5 million in base salary.
His age might steer the Commanders away from doling out a contract similar to the ones secured by other standout receivers like Tee Higgins (four years, $115 million) and DK Metcalf (four years, $132 million).
But, McLaurin has also been one of the best receivers in the league since arriving in Washington as a third-round pick in the 2019 Draft. He’s recorded five-straight seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards to go along with 38 career touchdowns.
During the 2024 season, McLaurin reeled in a career-high 13 touchdowns and earned second-team All-Pro honors for the first time in his career.
While Washington might still see McLaurin a Jayden Daniels’ top target, ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted on “The Pat McAfee Show” that the Commanders are still hesitant to pay the veteran at his new price tag after the 2025 season.
“They love and value Terry McLaurin, but they love and value him at a different price,” Schefter said. “They don’t seem close.”
McLaurin hitting the trade market would be a welcome sight for the Patriots, who could still use another top-end receiver to pair with Diggs for the 2025 season and beyond.
Speaking earlier this month, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer acknowledged that the Patriots would be one of the top suitors for McLaurin if he’s playing elsewhere in 2025.
“There hasn’t been much progress because there hasn’t been much talk between the sides. And I think that’s why Terry felt compelled to say what he said publicly,” Breer said on NBC Sports Boston of McLaurin’s latest comments expressing his frustration over stalled contract talks.
“I think the Patriots would be very interested in this,” Breer added. “There’s a price point for all of it, and what would that mean? Obviously, he’s not going to come here with an unresolved contract situation, so you’d be talking about a draft pick plus a contract. He’s a little older than people realize because he was a five-year college guy. He’ll be 30 in September. Certainly, as far as what they’re looking for — from a person, a player, helping Drake Maye, etc. — this guy checks every box.”
Shelling out a new contract for McLaurin after the 2025 season would be pricey for New England, but the Patriots still have the most salary cap space of any team in the NFL right now at around $59.9 million, per OverTheCap.
If McLaurin remains steadfast in his desire for a new contract and the Commanders are unwilling to budge, Eliot Wolf and the Patriots should be making multiple phone calls to Washington over the next few weeks in hopes of plucking the star receiver out of Washington.
The Commanders will pay a visit to Foxborough next week for a joint practice on Wednesday before Friday’s preseason opener against Washington at Gillette Stadium.
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