Terry McLaurin is already giving people around the Commanders a familiar feeling.
On Monday at training camp, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said the veteran receiver “looked like himself again” while breaking down what he saw on 106.7 The Fan’s “Grant & Danny.” Fowler pointed to McLaurin’s connection with Jayden Daniels right away, saying, “It was hard to ignore that connection between Terry McLaurin and Jayden Daniels with that beautiful pass to start,”
Fowler said McLaurin and Daniels appeared in sync and noted how different that looked after what McLaurin dealt with last season. “McLaurin looked like himself again, and I know last year was hard with the 'hold in' and then the injuries.
So he and Jayden Daniels both look like they are on the same page. I talked with McLaurin after practice.
He was almost downright giddy about the connection they have, that they are growing again or regrowing. So, that's a positive.”
McLaurin wasn’t the only pass-catcher Fowler singled out. He also came away impressed by Chig Okonkwo, who the Commanders signed in free agency after Zach Ertz tore an ACL late last season. Fowler described Okonkwo as a player who can help fill that receiving void, even if he isn’t known as a traditional blocking tight end.
“I think he is probably their receiver No. 2 right now. You know, he runs routes like a receiver, even though he is a tight end.
To me, he is more of a hybrid model. With the absence of another bona fide No. 2, he's probably the 'two' to me.
That stood out to me.”
That question has hovered over Washington all offseason: who, exactly, is the team’s legitimate No. 2 receiver? GM Adam Peters clearly saw the need. In free agency, he pursued Alec Pierce and Romeo Doubs hard, but the price climbed too high and he backed off.
Washington then added Van Jefferson and Dyami Brown to raise the baseline of the room, but the search for a real WR2 never really stopped. In the draft, the Commanders used the No. 71 pick on Antonio Williams from Clemson, another swing at finding someone who can grow into that role. They also used the No. 128 selection on Jaylin Lane in 2025 and the No. 100 pick on Luke McCaffrey in 2024.
If McLaurin is indeed back to looking like a dependable WR1, that changes the shape of the passing game for Washington in 2026.
In Other News...
Sam Hartmans Commanders Roster Fight Already Looks Much Tougher
Sam Hartman is back in another Washington Commanders offseason, and the path hes trying to carve out at quarterback looks steeper than it did a few weeks ago. Entering his third summer with the organization, Hartman is still trying to turn familiarity into staying power, but the room around him has changed enough to make every rep matter. Washingtons latest addition at the position has only tightened the competition and pushed Hartman into a more precarious place on the roster.
Hartman now sits at the bottom of the quarterback depth chart, which is never a comfortable spot for a player trying to prove he belongs. The Commanders still have time to sort out the position battle, but the early signs suggest Hartmans margin for error is slim and his clearest path may not even be to the active roster. For a player entering his third offseason with the team, the fight is no longer just about beating out another quarterback, its about avoiding being squeezed out entirely. [Read more 🡒]
Johnny Newton Is Entering A Commanders Battle Few Saw Coming
Dan Quinn has made it clear Johnny Newton is still part of Washingtons plans, even as the second-year defensive lineman works through a transition that has not been entirely smooth. The No. 36 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft has flashed some pass-rushing ability, but he is still dealing with issues of play strength and the demands of fitting into the Commanders new 3-4 front.
For now, Newtons roster spot is safe, but the competition around him has sharpened the stakes. Other linemen are outperforming him, and Washington still wants to see him become a more complete player before it can be sure of his long-term role, leaving his path more precarious than it looked when he arrived. [Read more 🡒]
Dan Quinn Just Sharpened Washingtons Biggest Camp Battles
Marcus Mariotas MCL sprain was one of the main injury notes Dan Quinn walked through in his latest press conference, but the Commanders sounded encouraged about the quarterbacks timeline as camp moves toward the regular season. Quinn also gave updates on Trey Amos recovery progress and Nick Allegrettis return to practice, while making clear that Washington is still in the middle of sorting out some important roster spots before the real games begin.
The biggest competition remains at center, where the reps are still being sorted out and every practice matters as the staff evaluates who can handle the job. Quinn also touched on linebacker Sonny Styles development and the teams communication across the board, a reminder that Washingtons training camp is less about finishing answers than building toward them. [Read more 🡒]