Steelers' Odds Of Landing Coveted WR Increase As Terry McLaurin Drops First Update On Heated Contract Dispute

The Pittsburgh Steelers are always going to be in the mix when it comes to rumors surrounding wide receivers. That was seen during the 2024 offseason with the entire Brandon Aiyuk situation before he ultimately signed a new deal with the San Francisco 49ers. The Steelers have already made a few splashes at the position by acquiring DK Metcalf and trading away George Pickens, but much of the fan base wants to see more, as the room behind Metcalf has some question marks. There are some interesting names around the league to consider, especially with some of the ongoing contract disputes.

One of the top receivers in the league is Terry McLaurin, and he is a big reason for the jump in success for the Washington Commanders during the 2024 season. The veteran receiver is entering the final season of his current deal, and he wants an extension from the franchise. This has been known for quite some time, but the two sides do not seem to be any closer to reaching an agreement. McLaurin spoke during an event on Tuesday, and his comments were not all that kind for the Commanders regarding the contract dispute.

"Yeah, I've been pretty frustrated, I'm not going to lie," McLaurin said. "Everything that has transpired up until this point has been disappointing and frustrating. I've wanted to continue my career here. I've created my life here. My wife and I have bought our first home here. This has been somewhere I've always wanted to be. Just to see how things have played out has been disappointing. Obviously I understand, everything is a business, but at the same time, I want to put myself in a position where I'm valued."

Washington drafted McLaurin in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, and he immediately came in and made an impact. He has recorded five consecutive 1,000 yard seasons, and he stuck it out in Washington when things were not going well whatsoever. He feels as though the organization now needs to be as loyal to him as he was to it, and that is not the feeling that has been described.

McLaurin still wants to be in Washington, and he hasn't made any sort of formal trade request, but it is easy to see how the two sides might end up parting ways before the 2025 season kicks off. The wide receiver sounds like he is not going to back down from whatever he is asking for in his new deal, so the organization is either going to have to give in, or consider trading him.

If a trade is something that might happen down the line after some more weeks of negotiating, Pittsburgh should absolutely be in the mix. The organization is projected to have 12 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, and they have eight picks in the event as of right now that can currently be traded to acquire players. Many of those picks want to be saved in order to trade up for a quarterback most likely, but if Pittsburgh can get McLaurin for a Day 2 pick, it has to be considered.

Steelers Could Make Cheap Bid For McLaurin Due To Extension

If McLaurin and Washington can't get any closer on a deal and he is traded, whatever organization he is traded to is going to have to give him an extension immediately. This diminishes the trade value of a player, which could lead the Steelers to acquiring McLaurin for one of their two third rounds picks in 2026. That still sounds far-fetched, as it is hard to believe Washington would let a staple of its franchise go, but the situation seems a bit murky.

What do you think about McLaurin's contract dispute? Let us know in the comments below!

#SteelerNation