New England Patriots - NESN.com
Terry McLaurin might be disappointed and frustrated with the Washington Commanders, but that doesn’t mean the star wide receiver is going anywhere.
NBC Sports Washington’s J.P. Finlay, among others, fully believes McLaurin will be catching passes from Jayden Daniels in Washington when the 2025-26 campaign kicks off.
“To me, if Terry McLaurin became available, a lot of NFL teams would be interested,” Finlay told NBC Sports Boston’s Phil Perry on the network’s “Next Pats Podcast” released Friday, as transcribed by colleague Nick Goss.
“I don’t think he’s becoming available, honestly,” Finlay continued. “I think they get this done.”
McLaurin’s frustration is rooted in the fact he’s seeking a new contract from the team that drafted him in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He’s a two-time Pro Bowler with five consecutive seasons of 1,000-plus receiving yards.
McLaurin, who is entering the final year under contract, reportedly is seeking $30 million annually. It would put him in the tier with A.J. Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Brandon Aiyuk and Tyreek Hill. Ja’Marr Chase received a top-of-market $40.25 average annual value from the Cincinnati Bengals.
Finlay believes he’ll receive what he’s looking for because of the player he is and also because what McLaurin brings to the organization and its fan base.
“I just don’t see them not getting to the finish line,” Finlay said.
It’s not the best news for the New England Patriots or other receiver-needy teams. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer believes the Patriots would be “very interested” if McLaurin was to become available, but similarly doesn’t think that will happen.
