Baltimore, MD – June 8, 2025
The NFL offseason just got its most polarizing headline yet. According to growing reports, the Baltimore Ravens have emerged as a potential trade partner for Washington Commanders star wide receiver Terry McLaurin — and fans across the league are anything but quiet about it.
McLaurin, long viewed as the emotional core and offensive leader of the Commanders, is reportedly being floated in trade discussions as Washington embraces a full-scale rebuild under its new front office. Baltimore, on the other hand, is in win-now mode, and pairing Lamar Jackson with an elite outside threat like McLaurin would be a game-changing move. But not everyone sees it as a slam dunk.
"You don’t just trade away a player like Terry unless you’re trying to burn it all down," one NFC executive reportedly told TWSN, voicing the frustration shared by many Washington fans. After all, McLaurin has led the team in receiving for four straight seasons, served as a captain, and remained loyal through years of dysfunction. To many, this feels like a betrayal.
Yet for the Ravens, the appeal is undeniable. DeAndre Hopkins has already made waves in OTAs, but the team lacks a true vertical X-receiver who can consistently win against press coverage and stretch the field. McLaurin fits that bill — and then some.
"We know Lamar Jackson thrives when he has trustworthy route runners who don’t disappear in big moments. McLaurin is that guy," one AFC scout told local media. "He’s durable, consistent, and a matchup nightmare when he’s schemed properly."
Still, the possibility has left the NFL world divided. Ravens fans are understandably ecstatic at the thought of such a weapon joining the offense, but even they know the price won’t be cheap. With McLaurin carrying a $23 million cap hit for 2025 and under contract through 2026, Baltimore would likely need to part with a first-round pick — or more — to seal the deal.
And there’s another wrinkle: team chemistry. Would bringing in another high-profile receiver impact the development of Zay Flowers? Would it undercut Isaiah Likely’s growing role in the passing game?
Then again, these are the types of problems Super Bowl contenders love to have.
The Commanders have not confirmed the rumors, and McLaurin himself has stayed silent. But his future in D.C. now seems more uncertain than ever. And if the Ravens do pull the trigger, it could tilt the balance of the AFC.
One thing is clear: if Baltimore successfully pulls McLaurin from Washington, it won’t just be a blockbuster. It’ll be a declaration of war in the arms race for the Lombardi Trophy.
