The Washington Commanders already traded one disgruntled offensive skill-position player, but superstar second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels is confident they will do what it takes to get Terry McLaurin back into practice soon.
Daniels told The Athletic’s Dianna Russini he feels “great” about the Commanders situation with McLaurin, even though the two-time Pro Bowler is still holding in for a new contract with Washington.
Daniels appeared on the “Scoop City” podcast that dropped the same day as Washington traded running back Brian Robinson Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers for a sixth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
McLaurin has 460 catches for 6,379 receiving yards and 38 touchdowns in six seasons with the Commanders but is coming off arguably his most effective season as a pro in 2024.
He posted the second-most catches (82) and set a new career high in touchdowns (13) while also posting his fifth straight 1,000-plus-yard season (1,096) yards and helping the Commanders reach the NFC Championship Game.
McLaurin is set to enter the final year of a three-year, $68.364 million contract he signed in 2021.
What Did Jayden Daniels Say About Terry McLaurin’s Situation?
Though Week 1 of the NFL season is two weeks away, and neither side appears poised to blink from its contract demands, Daniels has faith McLaurin and the Commanders will get a deal done.
“Hundred percent, I feel great (about the McLaurin contract situation),” Daniels told Russini. “I just know that it is all gonna work out, that both sides will come to an agreement and Terryâs gonna be back out here. Weâre gonna be throwing some passes to him.”
McLaurin is reportedly seeking a $30-plus-million annual-average value on his next contract — in line with what veteran D.K. Metcalf received from the Pittsburgh Steelers — and requested a trade from Washington late last month.
Russini reported this week that many around the league do not believe McLaurin will ultimately get the $30 million AAV but could get a smaller raise to the $27-$28 million range.
What Did Jayden Daniels Say About The Commanders?
There are legitimate concerns of a regression in Year 2 for Daniels, since opponents have had a full off-season to study his game tapes and the Commanders will have the NFL’s eighth-toughest schedule based on 2024 win percentage.
But Daniels is feeling good entering his second season of playing under offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who is adding more schematic things to their offense.
“I feel like, daily, we’re putting in new things to get ready for the new year,” Daniels said.
Daniels threw for 3,568 yards and had a 25-9 touchdown-to-interception rate in 2024, while also rushing for 891 yards and six scores. He finished seventh in MVP voting and guided Washington to the playoffs for the first time in four years.
Plus, with team members operating under the assumption McLaurin will be back, and the addition of Swiss Army knife-wideout Deebo Samuel, there’s a lot of excitement in the DMV.
“I’m excited,” he said. “Just the continuity we have on offense and another year in the system for a lot of guys, so we know the little nuances and we know how Kliff’s gonna call stuff. … I’m excited.”
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