Is Terry McLaurin a possible target?

[FireChans]

We talk a lot about DHop, about Evans, about all these older dudes.

 

Let’s talk about some younger WR’s who have to be sick wasting their careers away. 
 

Terry will be 29 years old in the upcoming season. He is entering the last year of his “big” contract before the potential out. And he is an “old guard” player with new and shiny head coach Dan Quinn taking the reins. 
 

If traded pre 6/1, he will have a cap hit of $7M to his new team, which is relatively cheap. With Stef on his way out potentially next year, this sets Josh up with an “in his prime” WR ready to take over as WR1. 
 

Stef could also be included in the package, but then we would be talking post 6/1 otherwise the financials get wonky. 
 

Is he intriguing? Is he an upgrade over $10M AAV for a Mooney or Curtis Samuel? His price tag may be as high as a first or a second and other stuff.

[Warriorspikes51]

Hadn’t even thought of him. Interesting at least

[billsbackto81]

McLaurin would be an awesome addition to our WR room. Probably the most underrated and under appreciated receiver in the league. Not sure the numbers would work but anything is possible I guess.

[BillsFanForever19]

9 minutes ago, FireChans said:

Stef could also be included in the package, but then we would be talking post 6/1 otherwise the financials get wonky. 

 

3/17 is when Stefon Diggs 18.5m salary becomes fully guaranteed and it can't come soon enough for me. 

[FireChans]

1 minute ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

3/17 is when Stefon Diggs 18.5m salary becomes fully guaranteed and it can't come soon enough for me. 

Does that change his post 6/1 designation money?

[strive_for_five_guy]

Draft young, faster and cheaper WRs.  29 this year will be 30 by next, and isn’t that part of the concern with Diggs?  I don’t like the idea of wasting money on any FA WRs this offseason.  Shore up other positions as much as possible before the draft, otherwise round out the squad during the draft.

[BillsFanForever19]

1 minute ago, FireChans said:

Does that change his post 6/1 designation money?

 

I'll keep it 100 here with you. When it comes to intricacies of contracts, dead cap hits, cap hits - I'm not a capologist. I just go off what I'm told.

 

Everyone has said next year is the earliest we should be looking at moving on from Diggs. That it's way better for us with his contract to do it then, then now. Posters will tweak numbers to a point that make their narrative work and swear it's the best to do it now. But I've heard no one besides people on this board say it makes any sense.

 

Regardless, if we are to do it, we wouldn't wait until after his 18.5m salary becomes fully guaranteed.

[FireChans]

5 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

I'll keep it 100 here with you. When it comes to intricacies of contracts, dead cap hits, cap hits - I'm not a capologist. I just go off what I'm told.

 

Everyone has said next year is the earliest we should be looking at moving on from Diggs. That it's way better for us with his contract to do it then, then now. Posters will tweak numbers to a point that make their narrative work and swear it's the best to do it now. But I've heard no one besides people on this board say it makes any sense.

 

Regardless, if we are to do it, we wouldn't wait until after his 18.5m salary becomes fully guaranteed.

I find that spotrac is the most accurate website IRT cap intricacies and they say the numbers are absolutely clear that we can move off from Diggs this year and make financial sense doing so. 
 

His salary becoming completely guaranteed on 3/17 is actually noted on their website.

 

Prior to 3/17, we lose 3M against the cap to cut him.
 

After 3/17, we lose 21M to cut him. 

 

After 6/1, we save 19M in 2024 to cut him. 
 

Post 6/1 releases effectively spread the dead cap over two seasons, which is why it’s more affordable, however it means you are still taking on the same hit in the next year, i.e. the 2025 hit remains the same regardless if he is cut post 6/1 in 2024 or early in 2025. So anyone saying it makes sense to do it in 2025 but not post 6/1 2024 is 100% completely wrong, because the cap savings in 2025 are the same 

 

So, unfortunately, 3/17 ain’t gonna change anything lol.

[John from Riverside]

We’re not moving diggs, nor should we

[BarleyNY]

37 minutes ago, billsbackto81 said:

McLaurin would be an awesome addition to our WR room. Probably the most underrated and under appreciated receiver in the league. Not sure the numbers would work but anything is possible I guess.

I agree with your assessment of McLauren. While he’d be a great addition here I don’t see why Washington would trade him. Why would they trade away their best WR the same offseason they draft a QB with the second overall pick? They’ve currently got the most cap space in the league to boot. Makes no sense from their POV. 

[BillsFanForever19]

12 minutes ago, FireChans said:

I find that spotrac is the most accurate website IRT cap intricacies and they say the numbers are absolutely clear that we can move off from Diggs this year and make financial sense doing so. 
 

His salary becoming completely guaranteed on 3/17 is actually noted on their website.

 

Prior to 3/17, we lose 3M against the cap to cut him.
 

After 3/17, we lose 21M to cut him. 

 

After 6/1, we save 19M in 2024 to cut him. 
 

Post 6/1 releases effectively spread the dead cap over two seasons, which is why it’s more affordable, however it means you are still taking on the same hit in the next year, i.e. the 2025 hit remains the same regardless if he is cut post 6/1 in 2024 or early in 2025. So anyone saying it makes sense to do it in 2025 but not post 6/1 2024 is 100% completely wrong, because the cap savings in 2025 are the same 

 

So, unfortunately, 3/17 ain’t gonna change anything lol.

 

So you're saying we'd pay 18.5m in cash and save 19 in cap on a 6/1?

[BarleyNY]

56 minutes ago, FireChans said:

We talk a lot about DHop, about Evans, about all these older dudes.

 

Let’s talk about some younger WR’s who have to be sick wasting their careers away. 
 

Terry will be 29 years old in the upcoming season. He is entering the last year of his “big” contract before the potential out. And he is an “old guard” player with new and shiny head coach Dan Quinn taking the reins. 
 

If traded pre 6/1, he will have a cap hit of $7M to his new team, which is relatively cheap. With Stef on his way out potentially next year, this sets Josh up with an “in his prime” WR ready to take over as WR1. 
 

Stef could also be included in the package, but then we would be talking post 6/1 otherwise the financials get wonky. 
 

Is he intriguing? Is he an upgrade over $10M AAV for a Mooney or Curtis Samuel? His price tag may be as high as a first or a second and other stuff.

 

McLauren’s contract runs through 2025. It also has 2026 void year. Why would Washington trade him? He’s their best WR, they’re taking a QB #2 overall and they have the most cap space in the league. It would make zero sense from their side. Great player and I’d love to have him here if he were to become available. I just don’t know why he would be. 

Edited February 20 by BarleyNY

[FireChans]

9 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

So you're saying we'd pay 18.5m in cash and save 19 in cap on a 6/1?

That’s what it’s saying, yeah. 
 

Now that I do the math in my head, it may be less. But it is workable, with savings. 

6 minutes ago, BarleyNY said:

 

McLauren’s contract runs through 2025. It also has 2026 void year. Why would Washington trade him? He’s their best WR, they’re taking a QB #2 overall and they have the most cap space in the league. It would make zero sense from their side. Great player and I’d love to have him here if he were to become available. I just don’t know why he would be. 

Old enough to not be in their five year plan, particularly with contract renegotiations around the corner. He also may plan on walking because he probably hates it there?

Edited February 20 by FireChans

[thenorthremembers]

If you can't afford Gabe Davis, you can't afford Terry McLaurin.

[BillsFanForever19]

26 minutes ago, FireChans said:

That’s what it’s saying, yeah. 
 

Now that I do the math in my head, it may be less. But it is workable, with savings. 

 

Listen, I know the only thing people care about around here is the Cap figures. No other money matters.

 

But if you think Brandon Beane is going to approach Pegula and say "hey, give me a check for 18.5m dollars so that I can give it to someone who won't be here and then I can spend 19m more of your money" - I've got a bridge to sell you.

 

And there is a difference. We can pay 18.5m in cash this year and save 19m - or we can save that same amount next year before his salary becomes guaranteed.

Edited February 20 by BillsFanForever19

[BarleyNY]

15 minutes ago, FireChans said:

Old enough to not be in their five year plan, particularly with contract renegotiations around the corner. He also may plan on walking because he probably hates it there?

Washington’s #1 priority should be to ensure their new QB has the supporting cast around him to be successful. You don’t trade his best WR away. Also it’s worth noting that McLauren is due $18.5M in new money this season. That is the cap hit that a team trading for him would have to take (unless they convince Washington to pay some of it and then trade him). See below. 

 

How would he walk? He’s under contract through 2025 and he’s not giving up $18.5M this season or $18M next. 

Spotrac

Edited February 20 by BarleyNY

[Don Otreply]

34 minutes ago, John from Riverside said:

We’re not moving diggs, nor should we

Agree, but we do need to draft a quality WR or two one of which will be a starter on day one, jmo.

[FireChans]

2 minutes ago, BarleyNY said:

Washington’s #1 priority should be to ensure their new QB has the supporting cast around him to be successful. You don’t trade his best WR away. Also it’s worth noting that McLauren is due $18.5M in new money this season. That is the cap hit that a team trading for him would have to take. See below. 

 

How would he walk? He’s under contract through 2025 and he’s not giving up $18.5M this season or $18M next. 

Spotrac

McLaurin, if traded, is going to cost Washington $16.8M against their cap in dead money. I don’t think he is  have a cap hit of $18.5M for the team trading for him.

 

He could walk after 2025. Or demand out sooner, because he hates it there.

 

Diggs got out of his first stop with more years on his deal. 
 

To be clear, if I was Washington, I wouldn’t trade him. But bad franchises gonna bad franchise. So, “they wouldn’t want to do that” doesn’t fly as an argument for me lol.

[BuffaloBillyG]

1 hour ago, FireChans said:

We talk a lot about DHop, about Evans, about all these older dudes.

 

Let’s talk about some younger WR’s who have to be sick wasting their careers away. 
 

Terry will be 29 years old in the upcoming season. He is entering the last year of his “big” contract before the potential out. And he is an “old guard” player with new and shiny head coach Dan Quinn taking the reins. 
 

If traded pre 6/1, he will have a cap hit of $7M to his new team, which is relatively cheap. With Stef on his way out potentially next year, this sets Josh up with an “in his prime” WR ready to take over as WR1. 
 

Stef could also be included in the package, but then we would be talking post 6/1 otherwise the financials get wonky. 
 

Is he intriguing? Is he an upgrade over $10M AAV for a Mooney or Curtis Samuel? His price tag may be as high as a first or a second and other stuff.

I say this as someone who has a deep respect for Terry McLaurin. Hell no. 

 

Here's the thing, fans want to get that big splash name that makes them feel all warm and fuzzy. Gotta have that new toy, right? The instant gratification. 

 

Smart teams will pass on Terry McLaurin and find the NEXT McLaurin. Younger and cost controlled for 4-5 years. Teams that run out and trade away for big players like the Dolphins and Jets then end up with a top heavy roster that crumbles late in the season because their depth is truly atrocious....is that where ya wanna be? 

 

High priced aging vets (and yes, 29 is aging for an NFL WR) that give you limited years top production and a premium price are not the way to go.

[FireChans]

20 minutes ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

I say this as someone who has a deep respect for Terry McLaurin. Hell no. 

 

Here's the thing, fans want to get that big splash name that makes them feel all warm and fuzzy. Gotta have that new toy, right? The instant gratification. 

 

Smart teams will pass on Terry McLaurin and find the NEXT McLaurin. Younger and cost controlled for 4-5 years. Teams that run out and trade away for big players like the Dolphins and Jets then end up with a top heavy roster that crumbles late in the season because their depth is truly atrocious....is that where ya wanna be? 

 

High priced aging vets (and yes, 29 is aging for an NFL WR) that give you limited years top production and a premium price are not the way to go.

Was the Diggs trade not smart?

 

The Jets and Dolphins crumbled because their QB’s ain’t it. 
 

The Rams won the Super Bowl with the top heaviest roster in NFL history.

Edited February 21 by FireChans

[Mikie2times]

I forget who it was but I recall reading an article last year that had a very good WR saying he was the most underrated WR in the NFL. Which I believe. Would be thrilled to have him. 

[Solomon Grundy]

1 hour ago, John from Riverside said:

We’re not moving diggs, nor should we

I wish the speculation would stop!! 

[BillsFanForever19]

2 minutes ago, Solomon Grundy said:

I wish the speculation would stop!! 

 

I'm in the same boat. I need to get better about it, honestly.

 

It makes my blood boil and feel like i'm on crazy pills reading it. But ultimately, it doesn't matter. They can talk about it all they want. It's not going to happen. They're (oddly) just fantasizing and talking about something that only exists in their own heads.

[Warriorspikes51]

16 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

I'm in the same boat. I need to get better about it, honestly.

 

It makes my blood boil and feel like i'm on crazy pills reading it. But ultimately, it doesn't matter. They can talk about it all they want. It's not going to happen. They're (oddly) just fantasizing and talking about something that only exists in their own heads.

what are you going to say IF he gets traded🤣

[BillsFanForever19]

23 minutes ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

what are you going to say IF he gets traded🤣

 

I don't have to worry about that. Some of the many things that you've posted about that had no chance of happening and didn't happen made more sense than this does. 

 

What are you going to say when he's here and especially if he has a great year for us? After you've spent the entire offseason arguing why he shouldn't be here and salivating over the idea of moving him in post after post?

Edited February 21 by BillsFanForever19

[BullBuchanan]

29 is the tail end of a prime. If we want to win, we need 24 year old players on rookie deals outpacing guys like McLaurin. Then you add a couple guys like Terry on vet minimum deals chasing rings to be your 4th WR, not your #1.

[FireChans]

20 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

I don't have to worry about that. Some of the many things that you've posted about that had no chance of happening and didn't happen made more sense than this does. 

 

What are you going to say when he's here and especially if he has a great year for us? After you've spent the entire offseason arguing why he shouldn't be here and salivating over the idea of moving him in post after post?

The only one being definitive is you lol. I haven’t seen a single person say that Diggs is definitely going to be moved this off-season. 
 

This is probably why you keep getting sucked into talking about it. Someone says, “it’s possible” and you fly off the handle a bit arguing about why it’s NOT POSSIBLE. In a fun “trade for Terry McLaurin” thread.

[BillsFanForever19]

18 minutes ago, FireChans said:

The only one being definitive is you lol. I haven’t seen a single person say that Diggs is definitely going to be moved this off-season. 
 

This is probably why you keep getting sucked into talking about it. Someone says, “it’s possible” and you fly off the handle a bit arguing about why it’s NOT POSSIBLE. In a fun “trade for Terry McLaurin” thread.

 

Anything is possible. It's physically possible someone offers us 7 1st Round Picks for Josh Allen.

 

But the thing that has me riled up about Diggs is post after post after post around here, often from the same people, talking about it like it's extremely realistic - when it's simply not.

 

I'm guilty of being annoyed by unrealistic talk and wanting to stay grounded in Offseason talk. In the shape we're in this season, financially and roster wise, it makes no sense to move him.

 

If, as you say, there's no difference in saving between moving him later this offseason and moving him next offseason - what sense does it make to not have him here this year after we pay him 18.5m guaranteed vs. having him, moving on from him next year before more guarantees come in, and saving the same amount?

 

Especially when we'll be replacing half of the WR core as is? Why would we choose to replace not 1, but both starters and create a scenario where Josh has just 1 WR on the roster (Shakir) that he's ever thrown a pass to - and hand over 18.5m in guarantees to do so?

Edited February 21 by BillsFanForever19

[BuffaloBillyG]

1 hour ago, FireChans said:

Was the Diggs trade not smart?

 

The Jets and Dolphins crumbled because their QB’s ain’t it. 
 

The Rams won the Super Bowl with the top heaviest roster in NFL history.

The Diggs trade is an interesting question. Was it smart? I suppose it would depend on a few variables to know for certain. First off, how would that pick have been spent? If it would have played out the way the draft did and we end up with Justin Jefferson on 5 years of cost controlled rookie contract...a case could be made.  Also, what deems the trade that did happen a success? We have won a few AFCE titles. But that's not the goal. 

[SoonerBillsFan]

3 hours ago, strive_for_five_guy said:

Draft young, faster and cheaper WRs.  29 this year will be 30 by next, and isn’t that part of the concern with Diggs?  I don’t like the idea of wasting money on any FA WRs this offseason.  Shore up other positions as much as possible before the draft, otherwise round out the squad during the draft.

Agreed, just draft.

[FireChans]

28 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

Anything is possible. It's physically possible someone offers us 7 1st Round Picks for Josh Allen.

 

But the thing that has me riled up about Diggs is post after post after post around here, often from the same people, talking about it like it's extremely realistic - when it's simply not.

 

I'm guilty of being annoyed by unrealistic talk and wanting to stay grounded in Offseason talk. In the shape we're in this season, financially and roster wise, it makes no sense to move him.

 

If, as you say, there's no difference in saving between moving him later this offseason and moving him next offseason - what sense does it make to not have him here this year after we pay him 18.5m guaranteed vs. having him, moving on from him next year before more guarantees come in, and saving the same amount?

 

Especially when we'll be replacing half of the WR core as is? Why would we choose to replace not 1, but both starters and create a scenario where Josh has just 1 WR on the roster (Shakir) that he's ever thrown a pass to - and hand over 18.5m in guarantees to do so?

there is a difference in 2024 money saved. Not 2025

[BarleyNY]

2 hours ago, FireChans said:

McLaurin, if traded, is going to cost Washington $16.8M against their cap in dead money. I don’t think he is  have a cap hit of $18.5M for the team trading for him.

 

He could walk after 2025. Or demand out sooner, because he hates it there.

 

Diggs got out of his first stop with more years on his deal. 
 

To be clear, if I was Washington, I wouldn’t trade him. But bad franchises gonna bad franchise. So, “they wouldn’t want to do that” doesn’t fly as an argument for me lol.

 

Washington is under new ownership. Just because it was a disaster under Dan Snyder doesn’t have anything to do with Josh Harris and the people he has brought in. 

 

The dead cap that would hit Washington’s cap would be due to money that they already paid him. Every dollar that the Bills would pay him would hit their cap. That would be $18.5M in 2024 and $18M in 2025 - unless they renegotiated his contract with him. 

[FireChans]

26 minutes ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

The Diggs trade is an interesting question. Was it smart? I suppose it would depend on a few variables to know for certain. First off, how would that pick have been spent? If it would have played out the way the draft did and we end up with Justin Jefferson on 5 years of cost controlled rookie contract...a case could be made.  Also, what deems the trade that did happen a success? We have won a few AFCE titles. But that's not the goal. 

My barometer for “was this a good decision” is not “did we win a Super Bowl.”

 

Because if that’s you’re barometer, then Clyde Edwards Helaire was a great draft pick and the Josh Allen pick was not a success.

[nedboy7]

I am not sure adding a rookie WR even if he is a first rounder is what this team needs to put it over the top.  How is that even reasonable. 

[dma0034]

I'd be okay with trading a 4th or later for him and giving him a 3/4 year extension. You don't want to pay these WRs into their mid 30s

[Process]

I would have guessed he was like 24 years old....doesn't seem like he's been around that long at all

[mrags]

Think I’d offer a 3rd for him. Conditional to a 2nd if he has like 100rec, 1,000yrds, and 10TD. Something like that. If it’s before this draft I think a 3rd is as high as I’d go. Although maybe a 2nd and get something back. In this case, pick up McClaurin for a 2nd. Draft Sweat at DT in the first. A 3rd Rd WR or Safety is then a must. Oh, and I’m keeping Diggs. 

[Matt_In_NH]

14 hours ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

I'll keep it 100 here with you. When it comes to intricacies of contracts, dead cap hits, cap hits - I'm not a capologist. I just go off what I'm told.

 

Everyone has said next year is the earliest we should be looking at moving on from Diggs. That it's way better for us with his contract to do it then, then now. Posters will tweak numbers to a point that make their narrative work and swear it's the best to do it now. But I've heard no one besides people on this board say it makes any sense.

 

Regardless, if we are to do it, we wouldn't wait until after his 18.5m salary becomes fully guaranteed.

The bolded probably assumes no restructuring to create cap for 2024?  Because when you do that, the 2025 numbers get worse.   Anyway I am just assuming he is on the team for the foreseeable future.  Sure they could move on but it seems like a low probability event because of the contract.

[Low Positive]

9 hours ago, Process said:

I would have guessed he was like 24 years old....doesn't seem like he's been around that long at all

He was an older rookie. He redshirted and then played all 4 years at OSU.

[Sweats]

13 hours ago, FireChans said:

Was the Diggs trade not smart?

 

The Jets and Dolphins crumbled because their QB’s ain’t it. 
 

The Rams won the Super Bowl with the top heaviest roster in NFL history.

 

 

 

The Diggs trade was terrible.

I mean, sure we got a quality WR who's definitely one of the best at the position, however, when you consider that we traded our pick to Minnesota to get Diggs, we also gave up the chance to draft Justin Jefferson, who Minnie selected with OUR pick, i might add.

You give me the option of Diggs or Jefferson and i know who i'm picking alllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll day long......and it ain't Diggs.

 

Sorry.......not sorry.

9 hours ago, mrags said:

Think I’d offer a 3rd for him. Conditional to a 2nd if he has like 100rec, 1,000yrds, and 10TD. Something like that. If it’s before this draft I think a 3rd is as high as I’d go. Although maybe a 2nd and get something back. In this case, pick up McClaurin for a 2nd. Draft Sweat at DT in the first. A 3rd Rd WR or Safety is then a must. Oh, and I’m keeping Diggs. 

 

 

 

Why thank you, sir.....i didn't even know i was in the running.