Terry McLaurin has made it clear he wants to leave the Washington Commanders after requesting a trade last week. Given his impressive track record of five consecutive seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards, several teams should be looking to add the wide receiver to their roster.
On Monday, The Athletic broke down five teams that could pursue McLaurin, one of them being a team that probably sees itself as a Super Bowl contender: The San Francisco 49ers.
The Athletic’s Matt Barrows predicts that the 49ers don’t need to give up any draft capital for the veteran receiver. Moreover, Barrows predicts San Francisco can give up a single player in a one-for-one trade.
Commanders get: Brandon Aiyuk
49ers get: Terry McLaurin
“It’s not so far-fetched considering this scenario was discussed a year ago when Aiyuk was the subject of a high-profile hold-in,” Barrows wrote. “Aiyuk had the Commanders at the top of possible trade destinations because of his relationship with, and admiration for, Jayden Daniels.
“The 49ers probably would have acquiesced to his request if McLaurin was part of a trade package, but the Commanders didn’t want to part with the receiver. A year later, would they reconsider?”
MORE: Commanders trade prediction sends Terry McLaurin to Patriots in bargain deal
A potential trade involving Aiyuk would not only see him reunite with so many familiar faces, which is why Barrows believes a trade with the Commanders makes sense. The 27-year-old would need to adapt to a new offense and adpat to a new environment, but with people he knows, that transition would be much easier.
“While Aiyuk is coming off an Oct. 20 ACL tear and isn’t expected to be ready at the start of the season, he’s also two and a half years younger than McLaurin and has relationships throughout Commanders headquarters.
“He’s friends with the quarterback, he’s close to Deebo Samuel and he was drafted by GM Adam Peters, who was the 49ers’ top college scout at the time. Lengthy contract battles leave bridges burning. Wouldn’t both players be happier where there’s no smoke?”
It will be interesting to see if a one-for-one deal and bringing in a target that would gel with Daniels is enough for the Commanders to say yes to this potential trade pitch.
