Stephen A. Smith has questioned Terry McLaurin’s trade request as the wide receiver continues his Commanders holdout.

McLaurin, who scored a career-high 13 receiving touchdowns last year, is seeking an improved contract with just one year left on his current deal.

He signed a three-year, $68million extension with the team back in 2022.

Now, the wideout is seeking a significant raise – but Smith is unsure if he’s gone about it the right way.

‘I’m not sure how wise it is for him to take this position at this particular moment in time,’ Smith said of McLaurin’s trade request on ESPN’s First Take.

Smith then went on to report that McLaurin has been offered around $27m per year by the Commanders. 

Terry McLaurin wants a raise from the Commanders as he enters the final year of his deal

But Stephen A. Smith isn’t sure if McLaurin’s trade request was a wise idea

Stephen A Smith says that the #Commanders are right now offering around $27M APY to WR Terry McLaurin according to his sources. (via:@FirstTake) pic.twitter.com/Ed67Icptah

— brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) August 1, 2025

‘The brother is a guy that registers thousand-yard seasons with regularity. He can ball. He is a valuable ᴀsset to their franchise,’ Smith continued.

‘My sources tell me right now, they’re at about $27 million with him. I think they should at least come up to $30 million. There’s no question about that, but if they come up to $30-$31 million, I’m not sure there’s somebody else out there that is giving Terry McLaurin that kind of paper.’ 

While McLaurin is one of the more consistent receivers in the league – with five consecutive seasons of 1,000-plus receiving yards – he will be 31 years old by the time his next contract begins.

Nonetheless, he gave Jayden Daniels a reliable No. 1 target last year as he caught 82 pᴀsses for 1,096 yards in the quarterback’s rookie season.

Read More Washington Commanders head coach breaks his silence after star Terry McLaurin requests trade

That performance helped Washington to their best season in decades as they went 12-5 and made it to the NFC Championship Game.

Following McLaurin’s trade request last week, Commanders coach Dan Quinn said ‘we love Terry’ and shared that the receiver told him the move would be happening ahead of time. 

‘We also understand there’s the business side of this thing. [GM] Adam [Peters] and his side and Terry and his reps are working it through just kind of stay in that space,’ Quinn said. 

‘We recognize both are happening. I’m really glad [Terry’s] here. I love coaching him. Somebody asked me if it is a distraction. It is not.’

The Commanders have stated they have no interest in trading McLaurin, who reported to camp late last month – but was placed on the physically unable to perform list with an ankle injury.

Washington will begin their preseason this Friday against the Patriots.