The Washington Commanders dealt with quite a bit of contract drama this offseason involving Terry McLaurin. After months of drawn-out negotiations, the two sides finally managed to agree to a three-year, $97 million deal right before the start of the season that ensures star quarterback Jayden Daniels will have his favorite pass-catcher at his disposal.
Even with the addition of Deebo Samuel in a trade with the San Francisco 49ers this offseason, McLaurin’s presence on offense for the Commanders helps take them to another level. One guy who is well aware of what McLaurin brings to the table is former Pro Bowl wide receiver Santana Moss, and he recently explained why having McLaurin on the field is so important for Washington.
Santana Moss Gushes Over Terry McLaurin
Ever since getting selected by Washington in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, McLaurin has been one of the most consistent wide receivers in the league. He has racked up at least 1,000 receiving yards in each of the past five seasons, and while he only has two Pro Bowl selections to show for it, he’s had to endure some abysmal quarterback play throughout his time in the pros.
That changed in 2024 when Daniels showed up after getting taken with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. McLaurin enjoyed the best season of his career with Daniels throwing him the ball, as he caught 82 passes for 1,096 yards and 12 touchdowns, which earned him a spot on the All-Pro Second Team.
Entering the final year of his deal, McLaurin wanted a new contract and a significant raise, and he eventually got what he wanted after some tense negotiations. In Moss’ opinion, having McLaurin back is huge, not only because of what he can do on the field, but also because of his leadership abilities, which the team clearly missed during the summer.
“I’m glad he’s back in the building,” Moss said on “Command Center.” “He brings consistency, he brings stability, and he’s just a dawg a** player … He has the attitude that (Dan Quinn) loves, and that’s what we was missing this whole preseason.”
Terry McLaurin, Commanders Looking to Make a Super Bowl Run in 2025
Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty ImagesASHBURN, VA – JULY 25: Terry McLaurin #17 of the Washington Commanders looks on during training camp at OrthoVirginia Training Center at Commanders Park on July 25, 2024 in Ashburn, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
With McLaurin and Daniels leading the way on offense last season, the Commanders made an unexpected run to the NFC Championship Game. While they ultimately got throttled by the Philadelphia Eagles, the fact that Daniels was able to lead his team to that big a stage as a rookie has many fans feeling good about the 2025 season.
That’s especially true now that McLaurin is back in the fold, as robbing Daniels of his favorite target would have been detrimental to his development and the team’s hopes of winning this season. The NFC is stacked with Super Bowl contenders, but if Daniels can build off of what he accomplished last season, the sky’s the limit for Washington.
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