The Washington Commanders walked away from last season’s magical run to the NFC Championship game way ahead of schedule — and naturally — expectations are much higher heading into the 2025 NFL season.
Last year at this time, the Commanders were hoping they picked the right quarterback in Jayden Daniels and the staff was doing everything possible to get the most out of an overhauled roster that won just four games the previous year.
GM Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn focused on rebuilding the culture quickly, and when the season came around, it became evident the Commanders not only nailed the No. 2 overall pick by selecting Jayden Daniels, but they may have found the next superstar QB in the NFL for years to come.
Last year’s Washington squad had a few big-time players in key spots, but the roster was as largely made up of high-character veterans with upside when it comes to talent. But Daniels played like a poised veteran from the beginning of the year and only got better and better as the season went on. He made players like Dyami Brown and Olamade Zaccheus look like elite receivers, while his connection with Zach Ertz helped the veteran tight end find the fountain of youth.
Other than the relationship between Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury and Daniels, the most important connection on offense was the chemistry between the rookie QB and veteran WR Terry McLaurin.
The two seemed to be on the exact same page from day one — and naturally — McLaurin posted one of his best statistical seasons while Daniels broke record and made history as a rookie NFL QB.
McLaurin, who has always remained professional and produced at a high level despite being on bad teams with drama and dysfunction and no stability at quarterback, finished the year with 82 catches for 1,096 yards and 13 touchdowns.
And while the offseason has been incredibly optimistic in Washington with additions like Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil along with some key veterans on defense and a high-upside rookie draft class, there’s a growing tension surrounding McLaurin’s future in D.C.
Anyone in the DMV will tell you there’s no way the Commanders move on from McLaurin, he’s too valuable to Daniels, the locker room and the fabric of the team.
But as each day passes without a new contract, speculation will only continue to swirl.
Bleacher Report put out a bold prediction that would send McLaurin and RB Austin Ekeler to the New York Jets in exchange for RB Breece Hall and a second-round pick.
The Jets are looking for a franchise reset in 2025, with a new coach in Aaron Glenn and a new quarterback in Justin Fields. Getting off to a fast start would help both Glenn and Fields, and adding McLaurin could help New York do it.
McLaurin could be particularly valuable to Fields, who has shown himself to be an elite scrambler but who is still developing as a pocket passer. New York added Josh Reynolds this offseason but should be interested in adding McLaurin opposite Garrett Wilson.
It’s also worth noting that Jets passing game coordinator Scott Turner previously coached McLaurin as Washington’s offensive coordinator.
The potential obstacle for New York is a financial one. The rival Patriots have $60.8 million in cap space available and could extend McLaurin immediately. However, while the Jets have $37 million available, they also need to consider extensions for standout 2022 draft picks Garrett, Sauce Gardner, Jermaine Johnson II and Breece Hall.
Theoretically, the Jets could alleviate one contract situation by sending out Hall in a trade. While Hall has been a quality starter for New York when healthy, the Jets added Wisconsin product Braelon Allen in last year’s draft. With Fields perfectly capable of augmenting the ground game, the Jets may have no interest in extending Hall with a top-of-the-market contract.
The 24-year-old would fit Washington’s new Daniels-centric timeline than 30-year-old Austin Ekeler. Including a running back swap in this deal would allow the Commanders to get younger in the backfield while giving New York depth as it eyes a new backfield tandem in 2026.
