Commanders Trade Terry McLaurin for T.J. Watt in Blockbuster Prediction
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Commanders Trade Terry McLaurin for T.J. Watt in Blockbuster Prediction
Washington Commanders star Terry McLaurin remains an impasse with the organization over his incoming contract extension. The wide receiver is coming off the best season of his six-year career in the nation’s capital. Washington could scrape together much-needed financial flexibility to help the rest of the roster if they move on from McLaur in a blockbuster trade for T.J. Watt. The Steelers have shown no indication about moving on from a pillar of their historic franchise’s modern era, but the longer his contract dispute drags on, the more frustration could creep in and urge a move. The deal works both ways … but it means each franchise has to give up on a foundational part in their recent success.Plus the teams would still have to end up paying top dollar for a new contract … which they’re each currently avoiding in the first place. The trade would no doubt be the most significant transaction of the offseason for both teams.
Washington Commanders star Terry McLaurin remains an impasse with the organization over his incoming contract extension.
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The wide receiver is coming off the best season of his six-year career in the nation’s capital – it was also the team’s most successful year in over three decades.
McLaurin was an integral part of Washington’s high-powered offense, led by electrifying rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. As much as they would want to keep him, McLaurin could demand a top-of-the-market contract value that the Commanders may not feel comfortable with, especially as tensions have been high with the two parties for months.
This had led to endless speculation about McLaurin’s trade potential. His value is as high as it’s ever been, and Washington could scrape together much-needed financial flexibility to help the rest of the roster if they move on from McLaurin.
The pass rush is a major concern with the loss of a double-digit sack total in Dante Fowler Jr. Over in the AFC North, there’s a notable edge rusher that has also been the center of holdout and trade discussions.
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FOX Sports’ David Helman linked the Commanders to potentially trade McLaurin to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for disgruntled edge rusher T.J. Watt, the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year.
“Why not indulge one delusional fantasy with another? If Washington were to trade Terry McLaurin, they’d be opening some financial wiggle room to add another lucrative player,” Helman said.
“They could get at least two, if not three, years of play out of Watt before they have to worry about extending Jayden Daniels. They definitely need the pass rush help. Watt would give Dan Quinn a blue chip player, which he doesn’t really have right now, on his Commanders’ defense.”
Watt will also command a hefty salary, but to Helman’s point, it works out similarly financially with three years to go before reaching the end of Daniels’ rookie deal. That allows the Commanders to add a cornerstone piece to the defense, which is a larger benefit than the loss of McLaurin to the offense.
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Washington already added Deebo Samuel to the receiving corps this offseason along with multiple exciting rookies. They don’t match the production of McLaurin, but they provide less headache and should be able to perform well enough to get by. The Commanders also bring back the same running back as last season, but Daniels’ is the ultimate catalyst on that end, too.
This blockbuster trade would no doubt be the most significant transaction of the offseason for both teams. McLaurin would pair nicely with newcomer quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who might finally have an All-Pro receiver in what could be the final year of his illustrious career.
The Steelers have shown no indication about moving on from a pillar of their historic franchise’s modern era, but the longer his contract dispute drags on, the more frustration could creep in and urge a move.
For Washington, Watt would immediately transform the defense into as large a threat in the NFC as the offense was last season … and that’s a scary thought after the Commanders took the league by storm and were a game away from the Super Bowl.
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The deal works both ways … but it means each franchise has to give up on a foundational part in their recent success.
Plus the teams would still have to end up paying top dollar for a new contract … which they’re each currently avoiding in the first place.
Related: Commanders’ Terry McLaurin $37 Million Contract Demand Called ‘Outrageous’ By Insider
Related: Commanders Trade Rumor Suggests Terry McLaurin for First-Round Pick in ‘Redefining’ Move
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
Steelers predicted to trade TJ Watt to Commanders in blockbuster move nobody saw coming
The Washington Commanders finished 12-5 last season and reached the NFC Championship game. The NFL has the Commanders slated in six primetime games which is tied with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs for the most in the league. GM Adam Peters has made significant moves to bolster the roster in the offseason. The Commanders believe their Super Bowl window is right now and could make a move for Steelers star pass rusher TJ Watt in the summer of 2025, according to Anthony Palacios of Last Word on Sports. Click here for more from Last Word On Sports.
Now with 2025 inching closer, the Commanders are no longer flying under the radar. Seemingly overnight, Washington has morphed from one of the worst franchises in the NFL to one of the best. The NFL have the Commanders slated in six primetime games which is tied with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs for the most in the league.
Clearly the NFL is hoping that Jayden Daniels will take another massive step forward in 2025 and cement himself as the next young superstar quarterback in the league. Daniels was a massive reason for the Commanders success last season as he broke multiple records and won Offensive Rookie of the Year in historic fashion.
As soon as the offseason began, GM Adam Peters and the Commanders brass began making significant moves to bolster the roster. Based on the players they have signed and what they have given up, it’s clear the Commanders believe their Super Bowl window is right now.
The first major addition came in a trade with the 49ers to bring versatile WR Deebo Samuel to D.C. Samuel gives Kingsbury and Daniels another reliable weapon opposite of Terry McLaurin who can be used in multiple ways.
Then Washington pulled off a trade for 5-time Pro Bowl left tackle Larmey Tunsil in a move that nobody saw coming. Again, Peters was intentional about surrounding Daniels with both elite playmakers and protectors.
When the NFL Draft came around, the Washington Commanders used their first round pick on former Oregon tackle Josh Conerly Jr. who will anchor the right side of the line opposite of Tunsil.
There was a lot of emphasis focused on the offense in both free agency and the draft, but the Commanders did add key pieces on defense. They drafted former Ole Miss CB Trey Amos in the second round.
Washington added a few splashes on defense in free agency too like DT Javon Kinlaw and CB Jonathan Jones, while bringing back veteran staples like Bobby Wagner.
One of the most glaring questions all offseason has been focused on Washington’s plan when it comes to getting to opposing quarterbacks in 2025. Last year’s sack leader is now gone and the Commanders don’t have an elite pass rusher on the roster.
With TJ Watt currently in a contract dispute with the Steelers, Anthony Palacios of Last Word on Sports sees the Commanders potentially making a move to bring the Pittsburgh star pass rusher to D.C:
Commanders predicted to move on from Terry McLaurin, trade for Steelers $112 million superstar
The Washington Commanders should look to upgrade their pass rush ahead of the 2025 season. FOX Sports’ David Helman predicts general manager Adam Peters will pull off a blockbuster trade and bring T.J. Watt to Washington. Helman adds that the Commanders will have to move on from wide receiver Terry McLaurin in order to add Watt. The seven-time Pro Bowl edge rusher would immediately upgrade one of Washington’s most pressing needs and take the defense to another level, Helman says.
The group lost their top sack artist from a year ago, Dante Fowler Jr., in free agency this offseason and doesn’t have a bonafide No.1 pass rusher on the edge. Dorance Armstrong provides solid production as a pass rusher, but he’s better in a complementary role.
The Commanders could address the need in free agency, but FOX Sports’ David Helman predicts general manager Adam Peters will pull off a blockbuster trade and bring T.J. Watt to Washington.
Helman adds that the Commanders will have to move on from wide receiver Terry McLaurin in order to add Watt.
If Washington were to trade Terry McLaurin, they’d be opening some financial wiggle room to add another lucrative player. They could get at least two, if not three, years of play out of Watt before they have to worry about extending Jayden Daniels. They definitely need the pass rush help. Watt would give Dan Quinn a blue chip player. Sure, maybe it’s a mixed message to hinder the offense by trading McLaurin only to add T.J. Watt. But, with all due respect to Scary Terry, I think it’s a bit harder to find a DPOY-level edge rusher than an All-Pro caliber receiver in today’s NFL.
Like McLaurin and Washington, Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers are in a contract dispute. Both superstars skipped their team’s mandatory minicamps earlier this month and seem to be frustrated with the lack of progress in extension talks.
The Commanders should look to re-sign McLaurin. However, if they can’t get a deal done with the 29-year-old receiver, trading him elsewhere and then using those resources to trade for Watt from Pittsburgh would be a masterful move.
The seven-time Pro Bowl edge rusher would immediately upgrade one of Washington’s most pressing needs and take the defense to another level. The Commanders also have the cap space in the future to sign Watt to his desired extension.
More than likely, McLaurin and Watt will agree to extensions with their franchises and stay put. They are just too good of players to let go of.
MORE NFL: Analyst floats surprising trade target for Vikings as J.J. McCarthy’s safety net
Commanders Trade Of Terry McLaurin Would Be Major Step Backward
Commanders Trade Of Terry McLaurin Would Be Major Step Backward. Washington loses its No. 1 receiver … and gets running back Breece Hall from the New York Jets. New York shouldn’t do this because they’re not in “shoot their shot” mode as a franchise … while Washington can’t do it.. Washington gives a fifth-round pick and gets a second-rounder. New Yorkers get only a modest upgrade to their existing Brian Robinson Jr.-led running backs room.. The Washington Commanders are in the AFC East.
Let’s be clear: The contract-dispute solution for a Super Bowl contending team like the Washington Commanders is not to dump one of their best players.
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The solution is to sign him … and that very much applies to Terry McLaurin.
McLaurin has been a holdout as he seeks a contract extension for his desired price. … which we bet is in excess of $30 million per year.
A deal is not immediately forthcoming.
What is?
Media trade speculation.
Bleacher Report is offering up a doozey as they believe the Commanders could entertain a blockbuster trade idea to replace McLaurin with another “star.”
The centerpiece idea? Washington loses its No. 1 receiver … and gets running back Breece Hall from the New York Jets.
And we can’t figure out why anyone would hit the “like button” on that.
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Hall in in the final year of his cheap rookie deal, and when healthy has shown explosiveness. But as they usher in a new era of Jets football, word is he’s going to be part of a “committee” approach at running back.
That means he’s semi-expendable to them …
Something that isn’t the case with McLaurin here.
B/R writes, “McLaurin could be particularly valuable to Fields, who has shown himself to be an elite scrambler ..”
That’s true – and it’s exactly what Washington thinks about the McLaurin/Jayden Daniels pairing.
In this fantasy swap, Washington gives a fifth-round pick and gets a second-rounder. … and they get only a modest upgrade to their existing Brian Robinson Jr.-led running backs room.
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In the end, New York shouldn’t do this because they’re not in “shoot their shot” mode as a franchise … while Washington can’t do this because with McLaurin, that’s exactly the mode in DC.
Related: Dan Quinn Shares While He’s Smiling Over Major Goals for Washington
Related: ESPN Reveals Shocking Grade of Commanders QB Jayden Daniels
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 14, 2025, where it first appeared.