Head coach Dan Quinn is taking heat for a fourth-down decision against the Dallas Cowboys that ultimately led to quarterback Jayden Daniels dislocating his elbow. But if wide receiver Terry McLaurin had brought in a makeable touchdown catch on third down, the Washington Commanders wouldn't be in this mess.
And this is a microcosm of how McLaurin's season has unfolded over the first two games.
Hopes were high for McLaurin this year. He has a full offseason to hone his craft, and the wideout was leading from the front. There was no contract holdout, and the Ohio State product looked healthy.
Terry McLaurin must overcome early slump to help Commanders cope without Jayden Daniels
But it has fallen flat to begin 2026.
And now, McLaurin will be without Daniels for the foreseeable future.
Daniels and McLaurin were barely on the field together last season. The same unfortunate scenario is happening again. But for the two-time Pro Bowler, he has to step up as a focal point.
Through two games, McLaurin has four receptions from 13 targets for 64 receiving yards. His yards per game (32.0) and catch success percentage (30.8) are career lows by a considerable margin. His passer rating when targeted is a lowly 48.2, and the 2019 third-round pick has already been credited with two drops.
It's early days, of course. But this is nowhere near good enough, and McLaurin knows it.
The Philadelphia Eagles blanketed McLaurin in Week 1, which is no surprise. But getting two catches for 50 receiving yards on nine targets in Dallas was completely unacceptable.
It's not the start anyone envisaged, but McLaurin is too good for this slump to continue.
Terry McLaurin is too good for his early Commanders slump to continue
He's a top-level performer. He's a second-team All-Pro and the franchise record holder for receiving touchdowns in a single season. McLaurin is an alpha in every sense of the term, but Stefon Diggs is outperforming him right now.
Maybe that has something to do with the extra attention opposing defenses are giving him. But it's never bothered McLaurin before.
With Daniels out until further notice, the Commanders need their pass-catchers to make things easier for veteran backup Marcus Mariota. McLaurin must be at the forefront, and he's got plenty of experience working with the signal-caller in recent years.
That doesn't guarantee success, but it's a solid foundation to build on.
McLaurin isn't going anywhere. The Commanders just paid him, and he's one of the very few franchise cornerstones Washington has. But if this concerning trend continues, people will ask legitimate questions for the first time in his prolific career.
Just when it looked like momentum would be building for the Commanders, the life was sucked out of the franchise when Daniels got hurt. They just have to roll up their sleeves and fight back, and everyone in the locker room will be looking to McLaurin.
He has to produce on the field. He must display the inspirational leadership everyone has become accustomed to seeing. A tick over 30 receiving yards every game won't cut it, even with Mariota under center.
McLaurin is the least of Washington's problems right now. But he has to be better the rest of the way.
The Commanders are counting on it.
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