Terry McLaurin trade: ESPN insider Dan Graziano doubts Washington Commanders are 'even entertaining the idea'

Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin made news out of training camp on Thursday with his trade request out of Washington D.C.. However, those on ‘Get Up’ on Friday think, one way or the other, he’ll be staying put in the nation’s capital.

‘Get Up’ broke down the latest regarding McLaurin’s request this morning in the midst of his contract dispute with the franchise. That started with ESPN’s Dan Graziano reporting on how far apart the franchise and their leading receiver are on a new deal despite ending his holdout over last weekend, hence the trade request last night.

“When he reported to camp, it was so he would stop getting fined $50,000 a day. I don’t think that was an indicator that anything was closer to happening,” Graziano said.

“So far, there really hasn’t been progress. It really is a matter of a difference of opinion on what he should be making,” Graziano said. “Terry McLaurin, looking at D.K. Metcalf from the same draft class, making $33 million a year on his new deal with Pittsburgh. The Commanders looking at it and saying, you know, ‘You’re a 30-year-old player. That feels pretty high. If you wanted more than DK Metcalf, now you’re in Justin Jefferson territory. We’re more comfortable at a lower number.’ And they just haven’t really made any progress toward each other on a deal.”

McLaurin just had a career-best season with Washington, as he had 82 receptions for 1,096 yards and 13 touchdowns to earn his second year as a Pro Bowler and first as All-Pro. With that, McLaurin has led the Commanders in receiving in every season he’s had as a pro, with a season-long average of 80.6 catches for 1,118 yards and 6.7 touchdowns. He’s then a key piece for QB Jayden Daniels, the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, to work with early in his career as Washington’s offense led them to a 12-5 record, one of their best in franchise history, and to an appearance in the NFC Championship.

Pending how this progresses, McLaurin might not be back in D.C. That said, Graziano doesn’t think Washington is going to meet this ultimatum.

“Obviously, you know, when the trade demand is made, that’s an effort by the player and or the agent to kind of get things moving and see if they can, you know, force Washington’s hand to either give him the deal he wants or to find somebody who will. But, at this point, I don’t get the sense that Washington is even entertaining the idea of trading Terry McLaurin,” Graziano said.

Mike Tannenbaum and Herm Edwards both felt the same in their responses during the segment. With McLaurin under contract at an annual value of $22.78 million a year, the Commanders don’t have to do anything.

“You just keep doing what you’re doing,” Tannenbaum said. “You’re not trading him, and you’re just abundantly clear, like, ‘We are not trading you. We are glad that you’re a Commander, we hope you’re a Commander for a long time but Terry, you’re also under contract for this season. It’s August 1st and we have a great quarterback in Jayden Daniels on a rookie deal. We’ve made meaningful improvements – Deebo Samuel, Laremy Tunsil. You’ve led the league in contested catches since 2019. You’re a critical member of this team and we want you here. We are not trading you.’ And that’s really the extent of the discussion.”

“Well, I don’t know if you want to move him. He’s a fantastic football player. Now, understand this. They brought in Deebo Samuel, so they might have anticipated this,” Edwards added. “This is the offseason before the season begins, where you always hear about a receiver wanting a new deal, trade me – Brandon Aiyuk went through this with San Francisco. So this is the norm of the National Football League, and it always seems to be the receivers – the ones that are really good, by the way. But, I think they’ll get a deal done.”

More is to come from McLaurin as training camp continues for the Commanders, going into their preseason opener next week. Still, of all the ways it could end, these analysts don’t think it’ll result in an actual trade of him elsewhere besides Washington.