At this point in the year, teams are finishing up training camp and getting ready to kick off their preseason schedule. However, as the official start of the 2025 campaign gets closer, the Washington Commanders still have a major off-field issue weighing on them.
For nearly the last two months, wide receiver Terry McLaurin has been eager to lock in a new contract with the Commanders. He is in the final year of his current deal, and wants an extension on par with some of the premier talents at his position. However, the two sides have been unable to come to an agreement.
In light of talks making minimal progress, McLaurin’s frustrations have reached new highs. Earlier this week, reports emerged that the veteran wideout formally requested a trade.
Also read: Commanders Coach Breaks Silence on Terry McLaurin’s Trade Request
As of now, the Commanders are maintaining their stance of not fielding offers for McLaurin.
Deebo Samuel sends message to Terry McLaurin
Someone who is fully aware of McLaurin’s situation is one of his newest teammates, Deebo Samuel. During his time with the San Francisco 49ers, he had his own fair share of holdouts and trade requests. Samuel ended up finding himself with a change of scenery this offseason, being dealt to a Commanders team eager to be a contender in the NFC.
During a recent interview for Bleacher Report, Samuel was asked about McLaurin amid the latest discourse around him. He fully understands the NFL is a business, but is hopeful the two of them will be sharing the field together soon.
“To get back to 17, I’ve been in this situation before,” Samuel said. “I’m a guy not trying to get too deep in the business side of things, but at the end of the day, 17 you know I want you out here. I want him out here for sure, no matter how long it takes, I understand the business side of things. Whenever it happen we going to hit the ground rolling.”
“At the end of the day, 17, you know I want you out here … no matter how long it takes”Deebo Samuel on Terry McLaurin’s contract situation pic.twitter.com/BdWnazmH8b
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) August 2, 2025
Also read: Former NFL Champion Links AFC Contender to Commanders Star WR
When the Commanders traded for Samuel, the vision was to pair him with McLaurin to create one of the NFL‘s top receiver duos. However, that has not been the case thus far. Less than a week before the preseason gets underway, Jayden Daniels has to get reps with both his top targets together.
Only time will tell when this new duo will actually grace the field together.
For more Washington Commanders and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
The post Commanders WR Sends Positive Message to Disgruntled Teammate appeared first on Newsweek.
