Dan Orlovsky rips Commanders for Terry McLaurin contract negotiations, trade request

ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky called out the Washington Commanders for how they’ve handled star WR Terry McLaurin’s contract negotiations and subsequent trade request. He called it “one of the dumbest things” to have happened in the NFL this offseason.

The “maddening” situation continues as training camp is fully underway. Orlovsky didn’t hold back when discussing Washington’s past and what it might have looked like McLaurin-less.

“Respectfully, Washington, you were a dumpster fire for years. You were a laughing stock,” Orlovsky said during First Take on Wednesday. “The only good thing about your organization was that young man. Every year, he did it. Year after year after year, for like five or six years, with disaster all around you. He was the only reason why anyone spoke somewhat positively about your organization.

“If you don’t have him, you erase everything that you did last year. Everything that you did. I’m being respectful to Dan Quinn and Adam Peters and what they did last year. You need him.”

McLaurin scored 13 touchdowns — six more than any other season in his career — while hauling in 82 receptions for 1,096 yards for the Commanders last season. 2024 was his fifth straight 1,000-yard season with the Commanders, and his sixth overall in the league.

Washington finished the regular season with a 12-5 record and finished one game shy of making it to the Super Bowl. McLaurin played a massive role in that effort.

“Give me receivers that impact winning as much, if not more, than Terry McLaurin,” Orlovsky continued. “I’ll give you Ja’Marr (Chase), I’ll give you Justin (Jefferson), Amon-Ra St. Brown. He impacts winning. This is a team that had six fourth-quarter comebacks — was ridiculous on fourth down.

“What are we doing in Washington? You finally have some good. You finally have hope for the future. And you’re trying to take away the one thing in your organization that, before Jayden (Daniels) and that group got there, was good. It makes no sense.”

There’s no denying that McLaurin has been the model of consistency in the Washington offense before Daniels was drafted by the Commanders second overall in 2024. However, he believes his paycheck doesn’t reflect his worth.

As it stands, McLaurin will earn a $15.5 million base salary for the 2025 season is about half of what the top WRs in the market are worth. Currently in his final year of a three-year, $68.4 million contract, the former Ohio State wideout feels that he is due for a major raise. Only time will tell if he gets his extension in Washington — or elsewhere.