Terry McLaurin’s trade request didn’t exactly blindside anybody — but it definitely stirred things up. He’s been the one constant through the Commanders’ chaos, a steady presence no matter which quarterback was under center. But with his 30th birthday approaching and the going rate for top receivers skyrocketing, McLaurin’s finally said what many people saw coming: pay me like a top-tier guy, or let me go be one somewhere else.

The Commanders say they want to keep him. Jayden Daniels clearly benefits from having McLaurin on the field. But when your top wideout wants north of $30 million per year, and you're trying to get younger as a whole, you’ve got to at least pick up the phone.

1. San Francisco 49ers

Proposed Package 

Commanders Get:

WR Jauan Jennings

2026 3rd-Round Pick

49ers Get:

WR Terry McLaurin

Why the Niners Would Do It

It’d be a bit odd to see the 49ers turn around and trade for a Washington receiver after just shipping Deebo Samuel to the Commanders earlier this offseason — but context matters. That deal was about Deebo's ability to stay on the field and how he fit with what they're trying to do with Brock Purdy. Now, they have a chance to bring in Terry McLaurin, who — while not cheap — is one of the league’s most consistent route-runners and would be an ideal complement to Aiyuk.

Jauan Jennings, on the other hand, hasn't been practicing lately and has been outspoken about how he wants a new deal. Swapping him out for McLaurin gives Brock Purdy a legit 1-2 punch at wide receiver. Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle are elite, but defenses often key in on the middle of the field. Pairing Aiyuk and McLaurin outside stretches coverage horizontally, making the entire offense more dangerous. And let’s not forget, Shanahan’s system hums when his weapons can win their matchup — McLaurin fits that mold perfectly.

It’s not a move the Niners have to make, but with their Super Bowl window still wide open, this could be a sneaky all-in push to round out their offensive arsenal for another deep playoff run. 

Why Washington Might Actually Pick Up the Phone

At first glance, the idea of swapping Terry McLaurin for Jauan Jennings and a single Day 2 pick doesn’t exactly scream blockbuster. But for Washington, it’s less about the splash and more about the strategy. McLaurin’s cap number is about to balloon, and the Commanders are clearly in a youth movement under new GM Adam Peters.

Jennings isn’t a star, but he’s a rock-solid contributor with playoff experience and a physical play style that could mesh well with Jayden Daniels. His contract won't come near McLaurin's. He's still on the right side of 30. And unlike some of the Commanders’ recent WR projects, Jennings doesn’t need a developmental runway — he can contribute right away.

2. Arizona Cardinals

Proposed Package 

Commanders Get:

2026 2nd‑round pick

2027 5th‑round pick

LB Mack Wilson

Cardinals Get:

WR Terry McLaurin

Why Arizona Would Swing

Marvin Harrison Jr. is already turning heads in camp, and the Cardinals finally look like they’ve got a legit WR1 to build around. But even the best young receivers thrive more quickly with a strong running mate — and McLaurin brings exactly that. He’s a polished, physical route-runner who doesn’t need manufactured touches to produce. He can line up anywhere, block his tail off, and win one-on-one matchups against top corners.

Kyler Murray is still the guy in Arizona, and with a healthy offseason under his belt, the front office seems committed to giving him a real shot this year. With over $35 million in cap space and a deep group of young players still on rookie deals, Arizona can afford to swing big.

What’s in It for Washington

Wilson isn’t Fred Warner, but he’s a reliable, experienced three-down linebacker who quietly put together a strong 2024 campaign — 82 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and plenty of tape showing he can handle coverage duties when needed. He brings leadership, familiarity with a fast-paced defensive scheme, and adds immediate depth to an aging Commanders linebacker room. Combine that with two picks, and it’s a respectable return for a receiver nearing 30 who’s looking for a premium extension.

3. Los Angeles Chargers

Proposed Package 

Commanders Get:

WR Quentin Johnston

2026 2nd‑round pick

2027 4th‑round pick

2027 6th‑round pick

Chargers Get:

WR Terry McLaurin

2027 7th‑round pick

Why the Bolts Push the Button

The Chargers have their franchise quarterback in Justin Herbert, a new-look receiving room, and a front office that knows it can't waste another year of Herbert’s prime. Mike Williams and Keenan Allen are both gone. Ladd McConkey is a great option, no doubt — sharp route-runner, dependable hands — but asking him to carry the load as the No. 1 guy for a team looking to make a deep run is a massive ask for a second-year player. 

Enter Terry McLaurin. He’s not just productive—he’s dependable. He gets open, catches everything, and brings the kind of consistency this offense desperately needs. He doesn’t need a perfect throw to make a play and thrives in chaos, something Herbert dealt with plenty of in 2024. Adding McLaurin wouldn’t just fill a hole — it would give the Chargers a stabilizing presence in a passing game that’s still looking for an identity.

Why Washington Listens

Johnston isn’t a proven star yet, but he’s young, affordable, and has all the tools you’d want in a developmental piece. He’s got size, speed, and a first-round pedigree — Washington isn’t exactly overflowing with those. If the light flips on, you’ve got a solid playmaker under contract through 2027 for next to nothing.

Add in a second-round pick next year and two late-round darts, and it starts to make sense for a team trying to win now while sustaining for the future. Washington doesn’t want to lose McLaurin, but if the reset is already in motion, this is a way to reload without blowing things up.

4. Tennessee Titans

Proposed Package 

Commanders Get:

TE Chig Okonkwo (26)

2026 2nd‑round pick

Titans Get:

WR Terry McLaurin

Why the Titans Would Roll the Dice

This would be a bold move for the Titans, no doubt. They just gave Calvin Ridley a sizable deal and are already building around rookie QB Cam Ward. But Ridley’s presence alone isn’t enough to balance the field when teams can shade coverage his way. Bringing in a steady separator like Terry McLaurin would give Tennessee two legit outside threats, easing Ward’s learning curve and taking pressure off the run game. It also says you're trying to compete now instead of just easing into a rebuild.

Why the Commanders Might Bite

This would be a “fit over flash” kind of return for Washington, but it’s not without its upside. Okonkwo isn’t a throw-in — he’s been quietly productive in a limited role and still has room to grow. He’s also cheap, under contract for two more seasons, and wouldn’t need to be a TE1 right away in a room with Zach Ertz. It gives Jayden Daniels a versatile YAC threat who fits Kliff Kingsbury’s motion-heavy scheme.

Plus, the second-rounder is likely to land in the top 50. It’s not a headline-grabbing haul, but it’s one of the cleaner paths to staying competitive without tying up major money or giving up leverage.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers

Proposed Package 

Commanders Get:

WR Roman Wilson

2026 4th-Round Pick

2027 6th-Round Pick

Steelers Get:

WR Terry McLaurin

Pittsburgh’s Thought Process

The Steelers aren’t in a position to be tossing around high draft picks. They’ve got one of the most talented defenses in the league, but their offense is still very much a work in progress. With Aaron Rodgers under center, this feels like a team trying to make one last serious push — but the window is narrow, and Pittsburgh knows it. If they swing and miss this season, they’ll need every bit of draft capital to address the quarterback spot in 2026 and potentially retool the offense around a new signal-caller.

That’s why this offer feels more like a fallback plan than a front-runner. They like McLaurin, sure, and pairing him with DK Metcalf and Pat Freiermuth would give Rodgers a trio of reliable targets. But the Steelers aren’t going to overextend themselves for a 30-year-old wideout looking for a big contract. If nobody else steps up, they’ll toss in a mid-round package — but this is more about upside on a discount than going all-in from the jump. 

Washington’s Reality

If McLaurin’s holdout drags into the season and his contract demands become a sticking point in talks with other teams, Washington may find themselves staring at limited options. That’s where Pittsburgh could come back into the picture with this offer. It’s not flashy, but it gives the Commanders a young receiver in Roman Wilson and a couple mid-round picks — and if it comes down to choosing between that or letting McLaurin sit out half the year, the front office might have no choice but to bite.

From the Steelers’ point of view, this would be a classic case of buying low. They’re not willing to throw big picks around, but if McLaurin’s market cools due to contract complications, it opens the door for Pittsburgh to swoop in. They’d still need to make the money work, and it’d require a bit of creativity with the cap, but it’s a way to add a proven target without mortgaging the future. 

The Bottom Line

Wide receivers of McLaurin’s caliber rarely hit the trade market unless something’s broken. Right now, it’s the bank account and a ticking age clock. Could Washington cave and pay him? Absolutely. But if they decide to cash out, these five deals offer realistic and flexible returns that could make sense for both sides.