Terry McLaurin’s time with the Washington Commanders may be nearing its end. After submitting a trade request last week, the veteran wide receiver is signaling his desire for a fresh start elsewhere.
With five straight 1,000-yard seasons to his name, teams needing help at the receiver position should be looking into a potential trade. On Monday, The Athletic explored five franchises that could emerge as serious contenders for McLaurin if Washington decides to entertain offers.
One of the five teams is the Buffalo Bills, who are looking to finally break through and reach the Super Bowl in the Josh Allen era. Could adding a target of McLaurin’s caliber be that missing element on offense that they need to get by the Kansas City Chiefs?
Here’s what The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala sees Buffalo giving up in a potential trade with Washington:
Commanders get: Curtis Samuel and a 2026 fifth-round pick
Bills get: Terry McLaurin
MORE: 49ers, Commanders predicted to make one-for-one trade involving Terry McLaurin
“The Bills could certainly use a legitimate No. 1 receiver, but as of right now, only if the right situation arises,” Jhabvala wrote. “McLaurin is a perfect fit for Josh Allen, though McLaurin’s need for a new deal with a cap-strapped team casts some doubt on the pairing.
“If the Bills could move Samuel’s $6.9 million in guaranteed base salary, along with a Day 3 pick for someone like McLaurin, I could see them talking themselves into it. Samuel, at least, could give the Commanders a player they could start in the interim.”
Samuel spent three seasons with the Commanders before leaving the franchise after the 2023 season to sign with the Bills. Moreover, putting the soon to be 29 year old as part of the trade, it could allow Buffalo to have the cap space to extend McLaurin.
“The Bills could conceivably make room for a new deal on their cap with the excavated Samuel cap hit in 2025, using some previously untapped contract restructures, along with backloading McLaurin’s new deal since they can structure it however they want,” Jhabvala added.
