NFL shows Terry McLaurin how it really feels about his disappointing 2025 season with the Commanders and it’s honestly surprising
The 2025 season didn’t go anywhere close to how Terry McLaurin and the Commanders wanted it to go, but that didn’t stop the NFL from handing the Pro Bowl wideout a nod of respect.
There’s no denying 2025 was the worst year in Terry McLaurin’s accomplished career.
It wasn’t because he a lost step or anything like that, either. McLaurin’s lack of production stemmed from an injury that caused him to miss seven games. As a result, he finished with career-worsts in receptions (38), yards (582), and touchdowns (3).
Yet, that didn’t stop certain NFL executives, coaches, and scouts from giving a vote –or votes– on ESPN’s recent WR rankings.
Jeremy Fowler’s annual series has Terry McLaurin in the final category of the receiver rankings, which is guys who at least received some kind of recognition throughout the process.
And honestly, it’s a bit surprising when considering Fowler and Co. typically dock players major points for injuries. Especially if they miss several games like McLaurin did.
Still, McLaurin’s limited numbers don’t lie. For starters, he finished with a career-high 2.22 yards per route run during the regular season. That’s a very solid mark that was better than top receivers like Justin Jefferson, A.J. Brown, Jaylen Waddle, Davante Adams, and DeVonta Smith.
McLaurin also managed to achieve that number with an average depth of target of 14.1 yards, which is ninth-deepest out of 67 receivers with at least 55 targets on the season. Meaning, Commanders quarterbacks were targeting McLaurin on a fairly deep basis and he still managed to be highly productive. As we all know, deeper passes are harder to complete and thanks makes Terry McLaurin’s achievement all the more impressive.
His 2.6% drop rate also ranked 11th-best out of the aforementioned qualifiers, as he only dropped one pass all year long. His 53.3% contested catch rate finished 18th and quarterbacks compiled a 106.7 rating when throwing his way, which was 17th-best.
In totality, McLaurin had a good year, all things considered. He was very efficient and still made plays despite the issues with his health and the Commanders’ quarterbacks.
Terry McLaurin’s 2025 season is exactly why the Commanders need to invest in a solid WR2
I’m obviously not in the Commanders building, but I do believe a big reason why McLaurin was able to have the success he did was because of Deebo Samuel. While Samuel isn’t a true, prototypical receiver, he’s a playmaker that can be moved around an offense in order to open things for the guys around him.
It’s exactly why the Commanders need to bring in an experienced vet that can still play. Right now, McLaurin doesn’t have that established guy next to him and it will force more coverages to roll his way in 2026.
Stefon Diggs and/or Keenan Allen are two guys who fit that bill (Brandon Aiyuk should be out of the picture by now). Sure, Diggs has had some off-field issues this offseason, but Fowler recently reported there isn’t a whole lot of concern from a team standpoint.
Regardless, the need is clear, as it’ll benefit McLaurin, which then trickles down to Jayden Daniels. And that’s the most important factor, of all.
Either way, it’s cool to see McLaurin get some love after a tough year. He’s been very underrated throughout his entire career. Hopefully that changes in 2026.