Terry McLaurin isn’t trying to play roster architect for the Washington Commanders. When asked whether the team should go after another veteran wide receiver, the longtime Commanders pass catcher made it clear that’s not his lane.
“Yeah, that's not really my job to add or subtract on the team,” McLaurin replied. “My job is to embrace whoever they bring in. If they bring someone in, if they don't bring anybody in, I have the utmost confidence that the guys in our room are going to step it up.”
That answer fits McLaurin’s reputation. He’s been with the organization since being drafted in 2019, and he’s remained one of the few players to stay through the Dan Snyder turmoil. Last season, that loyalty was rewarded with a three-year extension worth an average of $29 million per year.
The bigger issue around McLaurin has never been effort or production. It’s been the same problem he’s dealt with since entering the league: he’s had to shoulder too much of the load without a true counterpart beside him. The Commanders have had other receivers, but McLaurin has been asked to carry the bulk of the work throughout his career.
Still, McLaurin isn’t sounding any alarm bells about the current room. He said the NFL always creates chances for players to rise to the moment, and that happens “every single time.”
"... and we got a lot of young guys who are hungry and looking forward to seize it. With David Blough's offense, we're just going to have an opportunity for guys to touch the ball, move around, and make explosive plays.
The more weapons you can have to make plays for Jayden (Daniels) makes it easier. He's a guy who can really facilitate the football."
McLaurin also pointed to the additions the Commanders have made and said the group will need to grow together. He mentioned, “Adding Chig (Okonkwo), adding the other great guys that we added to our team.
Antonio (Williams), I think, is going to be great for us, and the O-Line- their synergy is going to be huge. It's going to be a collective effort, and we're looking forward to building it one day at a time.”
That’s McLaurin in a nutshell: steady, team-first, and never eager to make himself the center of the conversation. He’d rather set the tone with his play, then help the younger receivers along the way.
In Other News...
Commanders Lose Trusted Veteran At Worst Possible Time For Camp
A familiar piece of Washingtons special teams picture disappeared just as camp was about to get rolling, with linebacker Nick Bellore retiring after 15 NFL seasons. The Commanders moved him to the reserve/retired list as they made room for cornerback Rasul Douglas, a transaction that underscores how quickly the roster can change at this point in the summer.
Bellore had spent the last two seasons in Washington and carved out a trusted role as one of the teams most reliable special teams players, handling a heavy workload in that phase of the game. His departure leaves the Commanders with a notable hole to address moving forward, and it comes at a time when every practice rep matters even more than usual. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Have A Quiet QB Decision That Could Backfire Behind Jayden Daniels
Jayden Daniels is locked in as Washingtons starter, with Marcus Mariota set as the backup, so the only real quarterback question left in camp is the one at the bottom of the depth chart. Even so, it is a spot worth watching for a team trying to build a stable room around its young franchise passer, because the third quarterback can still matter when injuries, practice reps and weekly preparation start to pile up.
The decision comes down to who can settle into David Bloughs new offensive scheme and keep the ball out of harms way. Washington wants a developmental option it can trust, whether that means carrying him on the roster or trying to sneak him onto the practice squad, and the margin here is thin enough that a few clean practices or one rough stretch could swing the outcome. [Read more 🡒]
Former Commanders Receiver Finds New Home As WR Churn Continues
Chris Moore is back on the move as NFL training camps open, a familiar turn for a veteran receiver who has spent the past several seasons bouncing through the league. After stops with the Texans, Titans, Cardinals and Washington, Moore is now looking for his next opportunity after a brief run with the Commanders, where he was used in a supporting role and gave the offense some depth when injuries and roster turnover were in play.
For Washington, his departure fits the broader churn at receiver this offseason, with the room getting reshaped by additions such as Dyami Brown, Van Jefferson, Treylon Burks and Antonio Williams. Moore was not brought back after his contract expired, and his path back to Baltimore only underscores how quickly the margins can shift for a player trying to hold onto a spot in a crowded position group. [Read more 🡒]