Terry McLaurin is hoping to lead the Commanders in receiving for the sixth consecutive season.
McLaurin was drafted in the third round (76 overall) out of Ohio State in the 2019 NFL draft. On draft night, immediately, there was talk by analysts that McLaurin was a hard enough worker and a good enough athlete that he could make an immediate impact on special teams in his first NFL season.
In addition, Jay Gruden, the Redskins head coach, in his first press conference regarding the team drafting McLaurin, expressed, “He was the #1 special teams player on our board, but it’s really about what he is as a receiver.”
However, when the preseason began, head coach Jay Gruden mysteriously didn’t play McLaurin much at all. Was McLaurin injured? Why was he not getting reps to develop into an NFL receiver?
The season opener was in Philadelphia against the Eagles, and all of the Washington fan base quickly learned that this rookie was already making an impact, not on special teams but as the team’s No. 1 receiver.
In his first game, McLaurin not only started but also caught five passes for 125 yards, including a 69-yard touchdown. He continued to impress, finishing his rookie season of 14 games with 58 receptions for 919 yards (15.8), seven touchdowns, and 43 first downs.
Continuing to be the Commanders top receiver, McLaurin has totaled 1,118 receiving yards (2020), 1,053 (2021), 1,191 (2022) and 1,002 yards (2023).
Perhaps even more noteworthy are the quarterbacks who have played the position for Washington while McLaurin has been wearing the Burgundy and Gold: Case Keenum, Dwayne Haskins, Colt McCoy, Alex Smith, Kyle Allen, Taylor Heinicke, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Garrett Gilbert, Carson Wentz, Sam Howell and Jacoby Brissett.
McLaurin is not a youngster anymore. He has taken hundreds of NFL hits and will turn 29 in September. Washington will again have new coaches and quarterbacks for McLaurin this upcoming 2024 season.
The NFL is not a Disney make-believe movie. The new offensive system will need to be learned and performed under pressure. A struggling veteran (Marcus Mariota) and a rookie (Jayden Daniels) will need to be protected by a very unproven offensive line.
So yes, there are several questions about the 2024 offense, and Commanders fans are hoping, with McLaurin, that he will experience his first winning season in Washington.