Longtime Washington Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin has requested a trade from the organization he has spent his entire career.

McLaurin has been loyal to a Washington team that has gone through many changes and many losing seasons in his six-year tenure. Since entering the league in 2019 through 2023, the Commanders were 29-43 with only one playoff berth from a 7-9 divisional crown in 2020, headed by Alex Smith and Defensive Rookie of the Year, Chase Young. In 2024, the Commanders made tremendous strides, going 12-5 and were one win away from reaching the Super Bowl.

To say McLaurin is one of the most faithful wide receivers is an understatement. McLaurin has stuck with the Commanders through thick and thin, so it came as a surprise for McLaurin to adamantly request a trade from the team now.

While the team is moving in the right direction behind Dan Quinn and Jayden Daniels, McLaurin is rightfully demanding to be compensated fairly for his contributions to the team.

McLaurin has put together five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Theoretically, he would’ve been six-for-six, except he only played in 14 games as a rookie, totaling 919 yards.

McLaurin’s always been a #1 target for the Commanders, but he was a vital part of the team’s run in 2024 with a career-high of 13 touchdowns, paired with 82 catches for 1,096 receiving yards.

McLaurin shouldn’t have been as good as he was. The Commanders took a chance on him in the third round back in 2019 and has since made every other team regret it. To be a constant with the number of quarterbacks he’s been on the field with is remarkable.

Here are just some of the quarterbacks McLaurin played with before Jayden Daniels:

• Case Keenum
• Dwayne Haskins (former 1st-round pick and Ohio State teammate)
• Colt McCoy
• Alex Smith (coming back from a devastating leg injury)
• Kyle Allen
• Taylor Heinicke
• Garrett Gilbert
• Ryan Fitzpatrick
• Carson Wentz
• Sam Howell

The cards McLaurin has been dealt have always turned into a royal flush because of how much effort he puts in, no matter the team’s record, the quarterback on the field, or the number on the scoreboard.

Through all the muck, the Commanders are now emerging as one of the top NFC teams. Washington has upgraded the defense, the offensive line, and bring Deebo Samuel to help take pressure off McLaurin. If anything, McLaurin should be excited about the direction of this team. But it’s not the success that is bothering Scary Terry.

So how should the Commanders respond? Should they trade their top star receiver as they try to avoid Jayden Daniels’ sophomore slump?

It would be a mistake.

McLaurin is frustrated about his contract negotiations with the team. These talks can get heated and emotions are high when people are on opposite sides financially.

McLaurin wants to be compensated fairly, while other receivers his age are getting paid. Courtland Sutton just accepted a 4-year, $92 million deal from the Denver Broncos this week, so that contract probably didn’t sit well with McLaurin, who has given everything of himself to Washington, even in the bad years.

We can understand why the Commanders could be reluctant to extend McLaurin with him turning 30 in September, but for someone who hasn’t shown any sign of slowing down, keeping your star receiver happy should be a top priority. The Broncos knew Sutton would be huge for Bo Nix’s development in his second year, so it should be of the same importance for Daniels to retain his number one option.

Don’t be surprised if these are just harsh words said in the middle of negotiations. McLaurin could get paid before the season and remain a Commander, but that doesn’t mean other teams shouldn’t be calling to entice the Commanders to give up one of the best receivers in the NFL.