Commanders Reportedly Don't 'Intend to Trade' Terry McLaurin, Still Want New Contract

The Washington Commanders "do not intend to trade" wide receiver Terry McLaurin, according to ESPN's Dan Graziano.

Graziano reported Monday the Commanders "continue to work toward a contract extension."

"He's believed to be looking for a contract worth north of $30 million per year, and the fact he turns 30 next month appears to be a sticking point from the team's perspective," the NFL insider added.

McLaurin requested a trade on July 31, a sign the two sides were seemingly at a stalemate. Prior to that, the two-time Pro Bowler was staging a hold-in. While he's present at training camp, he isn't going through drills or workouts.

Shortly after news of the trade request came to light, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported Washington has rebuffed teams in recent months whenever they inquired about McLaurin.

The 29-year-old is entering the final year of his contract, and he has watched some of his fellow wideouts get pay raises since he penned a three-year extension worth $68.4 million.

Spotrac pegs McLaurin's valuation at $24.5 million annually. While that isn't a big jump over his current earnings, he could if nothing else get more long-term financial security.

Time and again, money talks when a star is disgruntled in the NFL.

Four-time All-Pro Myles Garrett requested a trade from the Cleveland Browns in February, and a lot of fans assumed he was gone when he referenced the franchise's long futility. He said that his "desire to win and compete on the biggest stages won't allow me to be complacent."

By March, Garrett walked back his request and signed a new deal that briefly made him the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL. The Pittsburgh Steelers' T.J. Watt has since passed him.

Even with the offseason acquisition of Deebo Samuel Sr., the Commanders can ill afford to lose McLaurin when franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels is still in an important development phase.

Based on that alone, you'd expect Washington to find some middle ground with the veteran pass-catcher sooner or later.