What would Patriots have to surrender in potential Terry McLaurin deal?
Patriots
McLaurin is within the midst of a contract dispute with the Commanders.
The opportunity of Terry McLaurin getting traded appeared to at the very least acquire some traction this previous week.
McLaurin didn’t cover his frustration over the shortage 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 2 sides have but to work something out thus far.
Whereas the Commanders’ vast receiver iterated that he’d like to stay in Washington, McLaurin’s feedback have solely sparked extra commerce rumors. If the state of affairs will get to some extent the place the Commanders decide to commerce McLaurin,
Sports activities Illustrated’s Albert Breer believes the Patriots can be “very ” in buying the star vast receiver.
After all, getting a participant of McLaurin’s caliber wouldn’t come low cost. He’s a two-time Professional Bowler who was second in receiving touchdowns final season (13). Within the occasion McLaurin does get traded, whoever lands him must signal him to an extension as properly. The 29-year-old is getting into the ultimate yr of an extension he signed in 2022, which is why the Commanders are on this predicament.
By way of commerce compensation, there are a few current offers (and rumored packages) that might function a tenet for what the Patriots may need to surrender for McLaurin, if he had been made accessible. In March, the Steelers surrendered their 2025 second-round choose (No. 52 general) to the Seahawks for DK Metcalf, together with choose swaps within the sixth and seventh rounds.
From a pedigree standpoint, Metcalf and McLaurin are fairly related. They’re each multi-time Professional Bowlers with an All-Professional nod to their names by means of the primary six seasons of their careers. Just like McLaurin, Metcalf was additionally looking for a brand new deal on the time of his commerce in March. At 27, Metcalf is 2 years youthful than McLaurin, which might’ve made him a extra attractive commerce asset to some.
The Patriots might additionally use the framework of a deal they agreed to final yr and attempt to use it for a possible McLaurin deal this summer season. In case you bear in mind, it was at the moment final yr that the Patriots had been within the Brandon Aiyuk sweepstakes. They really agreed to the parameters of a commerce for Aiyuk with the 49ers, reportedly agreeing to surrender a 2025 second-round choose, a 2026 fourth-round choose, and veteran vast receiver Kendrick Bourne.
That deal didn’t come to fruition as Aiyuk didn’t wish to signal an extension with the Patriots. Aiyuk arguably had an identical season to McLaurin in 2024 within the yr previous to that potential deal, serving to the 49ers attain the Tremendous Bowl. However Aiyuk was additionally 26 on the time of the commerce rumors, and McLaurin will flip 30 in September.
Talking of McLaurin’s age, a non-quarterback age 30 or over hasn’t been traded for a first-round choose within the final decade. Whereas McLaurin is extensively thought-about to be one of many recreation’s greatest receivers, it appears unlikely that he’d be the one to vary that reality, as he’s by no means been a first-team All-Professional. So, a potential commerce for McLaurin would seemingly have to incorporate a second-round choose, a Day 3 draft choose, and presumably a veteran vast receiver based mostly on current historical past.
By way of monetary compensation, Metcalf’s deal might additionally function a very good guideline for what McLaurin ought to get in his subsequent contract. Metcalf agreed to a four-year, $132 million cope with the Steelers in March, which included $60 million in assured cash and a $30 million signing bonus.
Metcalf’s deal didn’t reset the market, however it made him one of many highest-paid receivers within the league. His $33 million common annual wage is the fourth-highest on the place.
Garrett Wilson’s extension with the Jets might additionally function a possible guiding level for McLaurin’s subsequent deal. He agreed to a four-year, $130 million extension with the Jets this previous week, incomes $90 million in assured cash.
Within the hypothetical state of affairs that the Patriots land McLaurin, giving him that sort of cash shouldn’t be a difficulty. They’ve $60 million in cap area in the intervening time (per Spotrac) and have a wide range of other ways to open up much more cap room subsequent offseason.
Nonetheless, the Commanders must finally comply with make McLaurin accessible if the Patriots wish to land him. As of Saturday, that doesn’t appear seemingly.
“I don’t suppose he’s changing into accessible, truthfully,” NBC Sports activities Washington’s J.P. Finlay not too long ago mentioned on the “Subsequent Pats Podcast.” “I believe they get this finished.”
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