What would Patriots have to give up in possible Terry McLaurin deal?

The potential of Terry McLaurin getting traded appeared to at the least acquire some traction this previous week.

McLaurin didn’t conceal his frustration over the dearth 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 scenario will get to a degree the place the Commanders decide to commerce McLaurin,
Sports activities Illustrated’s Albert Breer believes the Patriots would be “very interested” in buying the star vast receiver.

In fact, 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 nicely. 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.

When it comes to commerce compensation, there are a few current offers (and rumored packages) that might function a suggestion for what the Patriots may need to surrender for McLaurin, if he had been made obtainable. In March, the Steelers surrendered their 2025 second-round decide (No. 52 general) to the Seahawks for DK Metcalf, together with decide swaps within the sixth and seventh rounds.

From a pedigree standpoint, Metcalf and McLaurin are fairly comparable. They’re each multi-time Professional Bowlers with an All-Professional nod to their names by way of the primary six seasons of their careers. Just like McLaurin, Metcalf was additionally searching 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 engaging 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 give up a 2025 second-round pick, a 2026 fourth-round pick, and veteran wide receiver Kendrick Bourne.

That deal didn’t come to fruition as Aiyuk didn’t need to signal an extension with the Patriots. Aiyuk arguably had an analogous 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 decide within the final decade. Whereas McLaurin is broadly thought of to be one of many recreation’s greatest receivers, it appears unlikely that he’d be the one to vary that truth, as he’s by no means been a first-team All-Professional. So, a potential commerce for McLaurin would doubtless have to incorporate a second-round decide, a Day 3 draft decide, and probably a veteran vast receiver primarily based on current historical past.

When it comes to monetary compensation, Metcalf’s deal might additionally function a great 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, but it surely 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 scenario 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 meanwhile (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 obtainable if the Patriots need to land him. As of Saturday, that doesn’t appear doubtless.

“I don’t suppose he’s changing into obtainable, truthfully,” NBC Sports activities Washington’s J.P. Finlay recently said on the “Next Pats Podcast.” “I feel they get this completed.”