The Washington Commanders have done everything right this offseason, upgrading a roster that made an unexpected run to the NFC Championship game in 2024.
When the offseason began, the Commanders brass made it abundantly clear they believe their Super Bowl window is right now. They traded for jack-of-all-trades WR Deebo Samuel from the 49ers right when free agency opened. Samuel is a versatile weapon that OC Kliff Kingsbury will use in multiple ways to keep defenses on their toes.
Then, Washington shocked the NFL by trading for 5-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil from the Texans. Nobody even predicted Tunsil would be available for trade, but the Commanders secured Jayden Daniels’ blindside for the next few years at minimum.
GM Adam Peters added high upside players on defense like former first round DL Javon Kinlaw and veteran CB Jonathan Jones. In the NFL Draft, the Commanders used their first round pick on Oregon OL Josh Conerly Jr. who will play opposite of Tunsil on the offensive line. They snagged Ole Miss CB Trey Amos in the second round which felt like a steal for a player who could start right away.
In the fourth round, Washington added speedy WR Jaylin Lane out of Virginia Tech. Lane has also shown the ability to pick up massive gains as a returner for kicks and punts.
So on paper, the Commanders have done everything right ahead of 2025. Even earlier this week, the addition of future Hall of Fame pass rusher Von Miller filled a massive need for Washington’s defense.
The only controversy has been surrounding star WR Terry McLaurin who sat out of offseason activities in the spring and is considering doing the same for training camp unless he reaches a contract extension with the Commanders.
There’s no arguing McLaurin’s importance to the Washington Commanders and Daniels, heading into his second year at QB.
Still, while fans and outsiders see it as a cut-and-dry process as it’s clear McLaurin almost certainly isn’t demanding top of the market money like Ja’Marr Chase, but likely wants to get paid roughly $30 million per year or a little more, which is exactly what the market calls for given his production.
As each day has passed without a new contract, there have been rumors linking McLaurin to a trade. NFL Insider Albert Breer reported the New England Patriots would be highly interested in trading for the WR if he becomes available.
On Saturday, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler gave a surprising report about McLaurin in D.C. considering all of the recent trade rumors.
Fowler said he spoke to a source in D.C. and that Washington has “no plans of trading Terry McLaurin.”, and that they want him around long-term but also said they aren’t even close to agreeing on the $30 million plus contract McLaurin is seeking.
Ultimately, it seems almost certain McLaurin will be playing for the Washington Commanders in 2025 and likely beyond, the two sides just have to reach an agreement sooner rather than later.
