If there’s one thing Washington Commanders fans have been clamoring for over the past few seasons, it’s consistency in getting Terry McLaurin the football. The talent has never been in question-McLaurin is a top-tier route runner with elite hands and a knack for making plays in traffic.
The problem? Too often, he’s been underutilized in game plans that didn’t maximize his skill set.
That’s about to change under new offensive coordinator David Blough.
Blough is stepping into a role that’s seen its fair share of criticism in recent years, particularly when it comes to how the Commanders have featured (or failed to feature) their No. 1 wideout. Under Kliff Kingsbury last season, McLaurin finally saw a boost in red zone usage, racking up a career-high 13 touchdowns-more than double his previous best-and adding three more scores in the playoffs.
Still, Kingsbury’s offense had its limitations. While McLaurin’s overall production held steady with his career averages in receptions and yards, he was often stationed in the same spot, rarely moved around to exploit mismatches.
That’s where Blough’s approach could be a game-changer.
While he hasn’t laid out the full playbook yet, Blough has made one thing clear: this offense is going to be built with McLaurin front and center. And that starts with volume.
“This thing is going to be built around how do we get Terry 10 targets a game?” Blough said.
That’s not just lip service-that’s a foundational philosophy.
Blough’s offensive influences are worth noting. He’s worked under Kingsbury, yes, but he also spent time as a quarterback in Detroit while Ben Johnson was orchestrating one of the league’s most creative and efficient offenses.
If you’ve watched Johnson’s work with the Lions, you know he’s a master at creating pre-snap confusion and engineering mismatches for his top playmakers. Think motion, think shifts, think versatility.
That’s the kind of system where McLaurin could not only thrive-but dominate.
Expect to see McLaurin lining up all over the field, including in the slot, where his route-running precision and quickness could be a nightmare for nickel corners. This isn’t just about feeding him the ball; it’s about putting him in positions to do damage.
Blough also touched on the rest of the receiving corps, acknowledging that while McLaurin is the clear alpha, there’s work to be done in rounding out the depth chart. Young receivers like Jaylin Lane and Luke McCaffrey will have a chance to earn roles during OTAs, and Washington will almost certainly add more talent to the room. But there’s a plan in place now-one that includes defined roles and a clear pecking order, something that’s been missing in recent years.
And then there’s the quarterback connection. Jayden Daniels and McLaurin didn’t get a full season together in 2025, with injuries derailing both of their campaigns.
But when healthy, there’s real chemistry between the two. Blough sees it.
He knows what he has in McLaurin, and he understands the importance of building that rapport into the offensive identity.
The inconsistency that’s plagued McLaurin’s usage-high target volume one week, then mysteriously quiet the next-hasn’t always been about defensive game plans. More often, it’s been a failure of design.
That’s what Blough is aiming to fix. If his vision comes to life, McLaurin won’t just be featured-he’ll be unleashed.
And if you're a Commanders fan, that's exactly what you've been waiting to hear.