Terry McLaurin's trade request is a bold, desperate move to get things moving regarding a new deal from the Washington Commanders. But it doesn't change the end goal.
The wide receiver has missed almost all of the team's preparations for the upcoming campaign. McLaurin wants to stay with the franchise, but the two sides are way off finding some middle ground. And it's quickly become a distraction that head coach Dan Quinn could have done without.
Raising the stakes with his final, depressing card to play was inevitable. This could provoke the Commanders into more urgency, especially considering McLaurin's value to the organization. At the same time, general manager Adam Peters isn't reactionary or emotional when it comes to his decision-making process.
Peters is all business, and this is an unfortunate part of it.
Commanders know that Terry McLaurin's trade request is all part of the process
It's worth remembering that high-profile wide receivers such as Deebo Samuel Sr., Tee Higgins, and Brandon Aiyuk have all handed in trade requests over the last two years. None were moved in that year. Washington ended up securing Samuel's services for a fifth-round pick this offseason, but the San Francisco 49ers were only too willing to remove him from the equation.
Even this spring, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett gave a trade request to the club. He cited wanting to be on a contender before they made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history at the time.
Money changes everything.
Trey Hendrickson did the same with the Cincinnati Bengals. The AFC North team didn't budge, refusing all trade offers as they continue to work things out with the NFL's sack leader.
This is McLaurin and his representatives flexing their muscles one final time. But if they're hoping for Peters to bow to their demands, they'll be mistaken.
The front-office leader is composed and always has one eye on the future. Peters knows what McLaurin has done for the organization previously. He also knows what could potentially happen in third contracts with receivers who go past 30 years old.
His valuation isn't close to McLaurin's right now. There's still time for that to change, but some significant compromises must be reached before even entertaining the notion of trading the pass-catcher.
That would send out the completely wrong message. The Commanders are a Super Bowl contender. They are aiming to maximize Jayden Daniels' rookie contract before the quarterback becomes extension-eligible. Not having McLaurin around puts a huge dent in their aspirations on and off the field.
McLaurin's trade request turns up the heat slightly. But in all honesty, Peters probably knew it was coming.
And it will be refused.