The Washington Commanders are coping with some undesirable drama as they give the impression of being to construct on final season’s journey to the NFC Championship Sport after star large receiver Terry McLaurin requested a commerce.
ESPN’s Invoice Barnwell stated that he felt the “almost certainly situation” concerning the commerce request is that the Commanders may have McLaurin within the lineup for his or her Week 1 sport in opposition to the New York Giants on Sept. 7.
On Monday morning, Commanders reporter Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic predicted that “the Commanders will maintain McLaurin” regardless of the drama.
“They will’t take away their star quarterback’s go-to receiver in a 12 months once they’ve clearly gone all in to attempt to compete with the Eagles,” Jhabvala wrote. “They don’t have a lot depth at receiver; Deebo Samuel isn’t a real No. 2 in workload, not to mention a No. 1, and the one different confirmed receiver on the roster is Noah Brown, who is sort of good however has a prolonged harm historical past.”
McLaurin emerged as the favourite goal for quarterback Jayden Daniels as Daniels grew to become the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Yr amid the run to the NFC title sport, the place Washington fell to the eventual Tremendous Bowl champion Eagles. In accordance with ESPN stats, McLaurin ended the 2024 common season with crew highs of 117 targets, 82 receptions and 1,096 receiving yards. He was additionally second in your entire NFL with 13 landing catches.
It stays to be seen if McLaurin will settle for much less cash than DK Metcalf, who obtained a five-year, $150M deal after the Pittsburgh Steelers traded for him in March. Metcalf will flip 28 years previous in December.
“The Commanders additionally know they’ve rather more leverage than McLaurin in his contract dispute,” Jhabvala added. “He’ll be 30 in September, which implies he’ll be 31 within the first season of an extension. It additionally signifies that holding out regular-season video games could possibly be career-ending. So, a deal will get performed. There’s nonetheless time.”
As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Washington sixth among the many betting favorites at +1800 odds to win Tremendous Bowl LX. The truth that these odds have not shifted would appear to point that insiders consider the Commanders will make McLaurin joyful earlier than they face the Giants on the opening Sunday of September.
