Wide receiver Terry McLaurin dealt with an injury during the 2025 NFL season. As a result, he played in a career-low 10 contests.
Naturally, the veteran wideout didn’t produce as much as he has in the past. But even when on the field, McLaurin wasn’t as involved in Washington’s offense during 2025.
That could change in a huge way, though, this fall.
New Washington Commanders offensive coordinator David Blough has told reporters this offseason McLaurin will see 10 targets per game next season. McLaurin shared with the media Tuesday that he loves that plan.
“He told me that way back in February,” McLaurin told NBC4 Sports’ JP Finley and other reporters this week. “He texted me that him and I have a really good relationship. He’s been a man of his word. My job is to prove that each and every day.
“When we’re having workouts to be the leader, to be someone who you can count on to be on the field and make plays. That’s all I’ve been asking for. That’s all I want — to win games and have a big part of that.
“So I was definitely smiling when I saw that come across the phone. From OTAs and stuff, I can definitely tell that’s gonna be part of it.”
McLaurin averaged a career-low six targets per week last season — 60 targets in 10 contests. He was efficient with his catches, posting 15.3 yards per reception. But his receptions per game dropped from 4.8 in 2024 to 3.8 in 2025.
In addition to his targets per week average, his 3.8 receptions per game was also a career low.
McLaurin finished with 582 receiving yards and three touchdowns last season.
Commanders Need More Production From Terry McLaurin in 2026
Washington had two main objectives during the 2026 offseason. First, the Commanders needed to get younger on defense.
The team started its youth movement on that side of the ball with linebacker Sonny Styles. Washington also grabbed Tennessee edge rusher Joshua Josephs early on Day 3 of the draft.
On offense, the Commanders needed to add more weapons for quarterback Jayden Daniels. Washington did that too with Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams in the third round.
But what the Commanders really need is more production from one of their veterans. McLaurin is the most obvious choice.
From 2020-24, McLaurin posted 1,000 receiving yards every season. He also had at least 77 receptions in all five of those campaigns. McLaurin made the Pro Bowl in 2022 and 2024. He also had a second-team All-Pro nomination during the 2024 campaign.
McLaurin will turn 31 years old in September. So, maybe he won’t be the same electric playmaker he once was.
But when healthy, McLaurin still appears capable of being a WR1 in a good offense. The wideout might just need more targets again like Blough plans to give him this season.
McLaurin finished second for Washington in receiving yards last season. But the team’ s leading wideout, Deebo Samuel, left the Commanders in free agency.
Commanders Hired David Blough as Offensive Coordinator
One could describe Blough’s plan as obvious music to McLaurin’s ears.
Blough has been on staff with the Commanders wideout the past two seasons but as an assistant quarterbacks coach. This year will be Blough’s first year as Washington’s offensive coordinator.
It’s also his first ever OC role with any team. Blough was still playing quarterback in the NFL as recently as 2023. The assistants quarterbacks role in Washington was his first coaching gig.
Blough will replace Kliff Kingsbury this seasons. The Commanders fired Kingsbury and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. in January after the conclusion of the 2025 campaign.
The Commanders experienced a disappointing 5-12 campaign during 2025. That was after the team went 12-5 in Dan Quinn’s first season as head coach in 2024.
McLaurin had 82 catches, 1,096 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns on his way to the All-Pro team during 2024.
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