Terry McLaurin should expect to see double coverage early and often against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL regular season, so the trip to Lincoln Financial Field is the ideal moment for his running mate Stefon Diggs to prove his worth.
The Washington Commanders signed Diggs to take some attention away from McLaurin. It made sense, since 'Scary Terry' had long drawn a crowd, particularly against the Eagles.
McLaurin became a marked man because the Commanders lacked another marquee wide receiver. Diggs is still one of those after logging the seventh 1,000-yard season of his career with the New England Patriots in 2025.
Stefon Diggs gives Commanders another way to beat Eagles' defense
Yet, for all his productivity, not everybody loved the Commanders signing Diggs. He's 32 and tore his ACL in 2024. The Maryland product has also been embroiled in off-field legal controversies.
Some have doubted Diggs' fit in the locker room, but there's no doubt about his worth between the hash marks. He can prove as much by giving the Eagles' secondary something to worry about other than McLaurin at Lincoln Financial Field.
The Commanders' supporting act for McLaurin will pose a very different set of challenges.
There's no sugarcoating the challenge a tough Eagles' defense poses to Jayden Daniels and the Commanders' revamped offense. Particularly up front, where massive defensive tackles Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis are likely to beat up on Washington's injury-hit offensive line in front of the quarterback.
The latter will need easy reads and quick throws to beat the rush. Enter Diggs, who should become Daniels' best friend thanks to his enduring ability to beat coverage on crossing routes.
Diggs still has enough know-how to find holes in the zone shells that Eagles' defensive coordinator Vic Fangio prefers. There ought to be more room for the four-time Pro Bowler to exploit those gaps if the Eagles are still doubling McLaurin outside the numbers.
Terry McLaurin needs help breaking the Eagles' bracket, and Stefon Diggs can provide it
Diggs' arrival isn't going to be enough for Fangio to shed his habit of bracketing McLaurin with double coverage on most plays. That tactic defined how the Eagles got the better of the Commanders during the NFC East rivals' three-game tilt in the 2024 season, culminating in a lopsided Washington loss in the NFC Championship game.
Eagles' cornerback Quinyon Mitchell stayed over McLaurin, shutting down the Commanders' big-play threat with a Super Bowl berth at stake, when he "lined up against Terry McLaurin on 36 of his 48 routes (75%), aligning in press coverage on half of those matchups. Mitchell allowed just one reception for 7 yards on 4 targets against McLaurin, including a fourth quarter interception," per Next Gen Stats.
Quinyon Mitchell lined up against Terry McLaurin on 36 of his 48 routes (75%), aligning in press coverage on half of those matchups.
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) January 26, 2025
Mitchell allowed just one reception for 7 yards on 4 targets against McLaurin, including a fourth quarter interception.#WASvsPHI | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/umbdPA5yNJ
Mitchell's heavy use of press coverage was significant. He could roll up on McLaurin because of regular safety help over the top.
The Commanders must break the bracket around McLaurin, and new offensive coordinator David Blough can use Diggs to do it. His prolific output when going in motion will prove crucial.
Moving Diggs around can isolate him against mismatched covering defenders. Those matchups will create some nasty problems for Fangio.
He'll have to decide between playing man coverage away from McLaurin and having Mitchell's fellow corner Riq Woolen travel with Diggs in motion. Or else, Fangio will need a way to also double Washington's new arrival.
Doubling both of the Commanders' star wideouts will leave room for other pass-catchers to feast. Including rookie slot receiver Antonio Williams, roving tight end Chig Okonkwo, and sure-handed running back Rachaad White.
If even one of these receivers starts to move the chains, the Eagles will struggle to continue doubling both Diggs and McLaurin. Leaving the latter one-on-one has burned Fangio in the past, like when McLaurin scorched Mitchell for a touchdown grab late in the 2024 campaign.
McLaurin needs more plays like this to remind critics of his talents. He'll get enough opportunities if Diggs can give the Eagles more matchup nightmares than they can handle.
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