Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin are made for each other.
This mutually beneficial relationship has flourished throughout a memorable campaign for the Washington Commanders. They've spearheaded a renaissance of epic proportions with the playoffs in sight. It's exactly what those in power had in mind when they took the signal-caller at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
McLaurin's taken his game to new heights with a franchise-caliber presence under center for the first time. He's done remarkably well to put up exceptional numbers despite the constant stream of quarterbacks who weren't up to the required standard. Daniels has changed all that and the results speak for themselves.
The rapport between Daniels and McLaurin developed almost instantly. They formed a close bond throughout the offseason and challenged each other to be better. Their competitive fire and willingness to go above and beyond provided the catalyst behind immediate success.
Commanders have a devastating tandem in Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin
Daniels locked up the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year with a sensational comeback triumph against the Philadelphia Eagles. McLaurin is in All-Pro consideration after another 1,000-yard receiving campaign and a career-high 12 touchdowns. The quarterback-wide receiver connection is a match made in heaven and the Commanders have benefitted greatly.
An insane statistic from Next Gen Stats highlighted by Ryan Fowler from The Draft Network put into light just how good the Daniels to McLaurin tandem has been in 2024.
"Wild stat. Jayden Daniels & Terry McLaurin (140.0) have the highest passer rating among QB-pass catcher duos in a single season since Brady-Gronkowski in 2012 (140.1), among duos with at least 75 targets, per NGS. Historic year in DC."Ryan Fowler
This is nothing short of astonishing. It shouldn't surprise anyone who's watched Daniels and McLaurin this season. They've worked hard to hit the ground running and propel themselves among the league's most devastating tandems along the way.
The Commanders need to surround Daniels with more prolific weapons in the passing game to maximize his rookie contract in the coming years. But McLaurin is the undisputed alpha and focal point until further notice.
McLaurin has one more year remaining on his deal, which expires in 2026. Considering his importance to the franchise and his flourishing partnership with Daniels, general manager Adam Peters should seriously consider giving him a new deal this offseason.
The fact they've hit it off so quickly had a ripple effect on everyone. Winning the respect of players like McLaurin was an important first step for Daniels. After that, everyone followed suit and the Commanders far exceeded preseason expectations.
It's been a recipe for success, but Daniels and McLaurin won't be resting on their laurels. They want the best for Washington and to achieve greatness together. That's a dangerous combination striking fear into the entire league.
Judging by their start, it's only going to trend up from here.