What would Patriots have to give up in possible Terry McLaurin deal?

Patriots

McLaurin is in the midst of a contract dispute with the Commanders.

By Conor Roche

July 19, 2025 | 4:08 PM

3 minutes to read

The possibility of Terry McLaurin getting traded seemed to at least gain some traction this past week.

McLaurin didn’t hide his frustration over the lack of progress in contract extension talks with the Commanders when he met with reporters on Tuesday. He added that it’s been “disappointing” that the two sides have yet to work anything out to this point.

While the Commanders’ wide receiver iterated that he’d like to remain in Washington, McLaurin’s comments have only sparked more trade rumors. If the situation gets to a point where the Commanders opt to trade McLaurin,
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer believes the Patriots would be “very interested” in acquiring the star wide receiver.

Of course, getting a player of McLaurin’s caliber wouldn’t come cheap. He’s a two-time Pro Bowler who was second in receiving touchdowns last season (13). In the event McLaurin does get traded, whoever lands him would have to sign him to an extension as well. The 29-year-old is entering the final year of an extension he signed in 2022, which is why the Commanders are in this predicament.

In terms of trade compensation, there are a couple of recent deals (and rumored packages) that could serve as a guideline for what the Patriots might have to give up for McLaurin, if he were made available. In March, the Steelers surrendered their 2025 second-round pick (No. 52 overall) to the Seahawks for DK Metcalf, along with pick swaps in the sixth and seventh rounds.

From a pedigree standpoint, Metcalf and McLaurin are pretty similar. They’re both multi-time Pro Bowlers with an All-Pro nod to their names through the first six seasons of their careers. Similar to McLaurin, Metcalf was also seeking a new deal at the time of his trade in March. At 27, Metcalf is two years younger than McLaurin, which could’ve made him a more enticing trade asset to some.

The Patriots could also use the framework of a deal they agreed to last year and try to use it for a potential McLaurin deal this summer. If you remember, it was at this time last year that the Patriots were in the Brandon Aiyuk sweepstakes. They actually agreed to the parameters of a trade for Aiyuk with the 49ers, reportedly agreeing to give up a 2025 second-round pick, a 2026 fourth-round pick, and veteran wide receiver Kendrick Bourne.

That deal didn’t come to fruition as Aiyuk didn’t want to sign an extension with the Patriots. Aiyuk arguably had a similar season to McLaurin in 2024 in the year prior to that possible deal, helping the 49ers reach the Super Bowl. But Aiyuk was also 26 at the time of the trade rumors, and McLaurin will turn 30 in September.

Speaking of McLaurin’s age, a non-quarterback age 30 or over hasn’t been traded for a first-round pick in the last decade. While McLaurin is widely considered to be one of the game’s best receivers, it seems unlikely that he’d be the one to change that fact, as he’s never been a first-team All-Pro. So, a possible trade for McLaurin would likely have to include a second-round pick, a Day 3 draft pick, and possibly a veteran wide receiver based on recent history.

In terms of financial compensation, Metcalf’s deal could also serve as a good guideline for what McLaurin should get in his next contract. Metcalf agreed to a four-year, $132 million deal with the Steelers in March, which included $60 million in guaranteed money and a $30 million signing bonus.

Metcalf’s deal didn’t reset the market, but it made him one of the highest-paid receivers in the league. His $33 million average annual salary is the fourth-highest at the position.

Garrett Wilson’s extension with the Jets could also serve as a potential guiding point for McLaurin’s next deal. He agreed to a four-year, $130 million extension with the Jets this past week, earning $90 million in guaranteed money.

In the hypothetical situation that the Patriots land McLaurin, giving him that type of money shouldn’t be an issue. They have $60 million in cap space at the moment (per Spotrac) and have a variety of different ways to open up even more cap room next offseason.

Still, the Commanders would have to ultimately agree to make McLaurin available if the Patriots want to land him. As of Saturday, that doesn’t seem likely.

“I don’t think he’s becoming available, honestly,” NBC Sports Washington’s J.P. Finlay recently said on the “Next Pats Podcast.” “I think they get this done.”