Terry McLaurin Reportedly Drawing NFL Trade Calls Amid Commanders Contract Talks

The Washington Commanders and wide receiver Terry McLaurin remain locked in a "a classic standoff," according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Fowler reported Thursday on Get Up that teams are reaching out to Washington about acquiring the two-time Pro Bowler but that Washington isn't budging in terms of entertaining that possibility.

"They have been far apart. I'll put it this way," the NFL insider said. "He has wanted metrics of the DK Metcalf contract, which is $32 million. I'm told the Washington Commanders have only been slightly above where he was from before, which is $23 million. So take that gap, that's $7 to 8 million that they have to bridge, and Washington, I'm told, has got some calls about McLaurin. There's some interest league wide."

Fowler echoed earlier reporting from colleague Dan Graziano, both in terms of the team's unwillingness to trade McLaurin and the wideout's contract demands.

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo has, however, downplayed the extent to which interested suitors are contacting the Commanders. He reported Monday that teams weren't "burning up the phone lines" after McLaurin formally requested a trade.

Bill Barnwell of ESPN helped to provide more context behind the financial divide between Washington and its best pass-catcher.

McLaurin asking for $30-plus million isn't a huge reach in a market where the Cincinnati Bengals are paying their No. 2 receiver (Tee Higgins) an average of $28.8 million annually. McLaurin has consistently delivered as well, surpassing 1,000 receiving yards for three straight seasons.

At 29, though, he's two years older than Metcalf and three years older than Higgins. In terms of contract comparisons, Barnwell thought he shares more similarities with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Mike Evans and Denver Broncos' Courtland Sutton.

Sutton is the same age as McLaurin, albeit without as strong a track record, and he just penned an extension that averages $23 million a year. Evans is getting even less at $20.5 million.

Spotrac values McLaurin at $24.5 million and cites Sutton, Calvin Ridley, Davante Adams and Chris Godwin as his closest comps based on age, production and contract status.

Especially in light of Garafolo's report, the Commanders' current offer may not be much lower than McLaurin would get elsewhere.

Perhaps this saga ends with he and Washington finding some middle ground where he can secure at least a modest pay raise.