The Washington Commanders will be looking for help from all over their roster after last year's disastrous 5-12 season. One of the most important storylines to follow will be the performance of two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Terry McLaurin.
Last season, McLaurin sat out the entire offseason as he endured a dramatic contract dispute. He returned for Week 1 but was not in proper condition, and predictably started slow with only 75 receiving yards in Washington's first two games. He then injured his quad in Week 3 and missed seven of the Commanders' next eight contests.
McLaurin finished the 2025 season with career lows in total yards, yards per game, receptions, and receptions per game. He didn't have a single 100-yard performance and caught only three touchdowns.
Commanders wideout Terry McLaurin is ready to prove last season was a bump in the road
Suffice to say, "Scary Terry" will need to be much more prepared in 2026. And all indications from organized team activities are that the star veteran is locked in.
The Commanders' wide receiver situation has been cloudy all offseason, with rumors of potential additions such as Brandon Aiyuk or Stefon Diggs creating some uncertainty. But as independent team reporter Ben Standig points out via The Team 980, McLaurin is the steady rock through it all.
"(The Commanders) have a very unsettled receiver room, and you need somebody there to say, "Okay, follow what he's doing." If everything revolves around what Terry is doing, more or less, they'll figure out the rest. To have him there on and off the field is a big deal, and it does seem like he is all in."
Throughout his career, McLaurin has been one of Washington's most reliable on-field contributors and off-field leaders. That was what made his 2025 campaign so out of character, both because of the drama over the summer and his lack of availability during the season.
And he's not going to let it happen again.
McLaurin is on the wrong side of 30 and has everything to prove all over again. The high-priced contract he campaigned so hard for last summer kicks in this year, and he'll be making an average of $32 million for the next three seasons. If he doesn't measure up to it, the Commanders will likely aggressively pursue a trade.
But there's also plenty of reason to believe last year was an aberration for McLaurin. During his only full season with high-level quarterback play, he caught 13 touchdowns and was a second-team All-Pro in 2024.
McLaurin is fully focused on returning to that level in 2026. We'll see if he delivers.
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