It’s been uneasy at Washington’s camp this week after star receiver Terry McLaurin requested a trade. While the Washington Commanders are adamant they’re not open to trading McLaurin, at some point, this could get ugly enough that the team needs to part ways with Scary Terry.

McLaurin can still produce at a high level as he gets up in age, so front offices would be crazy if they didn’t at least fantasize or inquire about having a player, and a person, like McLaurin on their team. Here are five teams that would be wise to offer the Commanders a deal they couldn’t refuse for McLaurin’s services.

5 — Los Angeles Rams

The Rams are a team not many are talking about, but McLaurin makes perfect sense for them. The Rams have $73.7 million in cap space next year and they are in a trasitional period.

Right now, the team has Matthew Stafford at the helm. Stafford was involved in trade rumors, but the extent and validity of those are unknown. But a day is coming sooner than later, the Rams will need to move on and get younger. In the off chance the Rams draft a quarterback next year, they will need a reliable target.

For the transition, McLaurin helps everyone. He can give Stafford a valuable weapon that can help the team win now, while giving a potential rookie his go-to receiver as he adjusts to the NFL.

4 — Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals are intriguing. They only have $13.6 million in cap space next year, but they have $35 million right now, while shooting up to plenty in 2027. So for the contract McLaurin wants, the team would have to restructure some 2026 deals, or make the bulk of his contract in 2025 and 2027.

On the field, this would be necessary to see Kyler Murray reach his full potential. Murray has Trey McBride, one of the fastest rising tight ends in today’s game, along with 2024 first-round selection Marvin Harrison Jr. Outside of these guys, Murray relies on a committee of receivers to pitch in. If he had McLaurin, not only would this make Arizona’s offense more dangerous, but it could help Harrison Jr. grow as a receiver under the tutelage of McLaurin.

3 — Las Vegas Raiders

When it comes to getting paid, the Raiders are in a position to do it. Las Vegas has the most cap space going into next offseason. With their luck, or lack thereof, with receivers and character issues overall, making a trade for Terry McLaurin would be a can’t-miss move for Raider Nation.

Vegas will look like a different team this year. They’re reuniting Geno Smith with Pete Carroll from their Seattle Seahawks days, bringing fresh legs with first-round pick Ashton Jeanty, while Jakobi Myers and Brock Bowers are the lone primary targets.

Jakobi Myers is a great option for a #2 receiver, but for Geno to be successful, I think he needs a true #1, and McLaurin has proven that no matter who is throwing him the ball. I could see McLaurin enjoying the atmosphere Pete Carroll creates, and again, the money is nice too.

2 — Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers are linked to a Keenan Allen reunion, but if you’re going to explore Allen at his age and lack of durability, why wouldn’t you consider a reliable Terry McLaurin? We’ve already seen the Justin Herbert experiment with Keenan Allen and it didn’t work.

Beyond Ladd McConkey, it is bleak for the Bolts. Quentin Johnston appears to be a bust with every ball he drops. The Chargers invested a second-round pick in Tre Harris, but they don’t need to waste Herbert’s prime by putting makeshift talent around him.

An offense fueled by Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris running the ball, along with McConkey and McLaurin putting fear in defenses, is one of the most opportune windows to see if Justin Herbert can get it done.

1 — New England Patriots

The Patriots are finding their footing in the era after Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. They’re going in the direction of second-year pro Drake Maye from UNC and former Titans head coach, someone familiar with the “Patriot Way,” Mike Vrabel. That expectation comes with winning and winning quickly. The defense isn’t the problem, but the offense has concerns.

The Patriots can address those offensive concerns with $59.9 million in cap space left to use in 2025. On this list, the Patriots are the only team that are in the negative next year, but restructuring deals will not be any problem if they can get Terry McLaurin on the team.

McLaurin helped Jayden Daniels and many other quarterbacks whom he had to catch passes from, with the quarterback carousel in the last six years. If Drake Maye won’t be a bust, he needs a reliable number one like Scary Terry. The Patriots made a deal to bring Stefon Diggs, who is one of the better receivers when healthy, but there are some character concerns from the offseason. Diggs is also returning at an older age from a torn ACL, so will he be what he once was? Outside of Diggs, Maye doesn’t have anyone to rely on in the pass game.

McLaurin would quickly fix that and would be a good culture fit in Foxborough.

Where does it make most sense for McLaurin to go? Let us know in the comments if you see any of these teams convincing Washington to move off McLaurin, or if there’s a dark horse team we haven’t considered?