The Washington Commanders are hoping for similar fireworks from quarterback Jayden Daniels after an exceptional rookie season from their franchise quarterback. As a result, the offseason was spent on trying to improve the roster around their signal-caller, including a blockbuster trade for Deebo Samuel.
While adding a new weapon to the WR room, the Commanders find themselves stuck in a contract standoff with their go-to guy, Terry McLaurin. With no deal on the goal line, one analyst thinks Washington might have to start scouting McLaurin’s potential replacement in the 2026 Draft.
Terry McLaurin’s Contract Dispute Casts Shadow Over Washington Commanders’ WR Plans
Daniels got a majority of the credit, and rightfully so, for the Commanders finishing sixth on PFSN’s Offense+ metric, as they went from a four-win squad in 2023 to an NFC Championship Game appearance the following year.
However, Daniels’ success, which saw him cement the greatest rookie quarterback season in NFL history, wouldn’t have been possible without an excellent WR1 in McLaurin. The 2019 draft pick had one of his best seasons to date.
Playing in all 17 games for the fourth consecutive year, he tallied 1,096 yards and 13 touchdowns, which ranked as the second most in the entire league and were nearly equal to his tally from the previous three years combined.
However, even after a dominant year, both individually and with team success, Washington hasn’t agreed to a new contract with its superstar receiver. As a result, McLaurin has been a no-show at virtually every offseason activity.
“Not only did he not show up to the mandatory minicamp, but he hasn’t participated in any of the team’s offseason activities.”@AdamSchefter shares the latest update on Terry McLaurin and the Commanders 🏈 pic.twitter.com/eXsltyviaC
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) June 12, 2025
With the situation not showing any signs of resolution, the latest mock draft from PFSN suggests that the organization might have to consider a different, younger option to replace the production it received from the Ohio State product.
As a result, PFSN’s Joe DeLeone has Jordyn Tyson out of Arizona State in mind for the Commanders’ offense. Justifying Washington’s pick, he wrote, “Considering how the Washington Commanders are handling Terry McLaurin’s contract, it may be a sign they need to look for younger options at receiver.”
For the Sun Devils, Tyson took on a starting role last season and immediately exploded for 1,101 yards (up from 470 with Colorado), while adding 10 touchdowns (up from four). As a result, DeLeone wants Dan Quinn to go after Tyson irrespective of how the McLaurin saga plays out.
“Regardless, having a reliable target like Jordyn Tyson would take Washington’s offense to another level.”
For a team that has quickly risen from the doldrums of the league to potential Super Bowl contenders, getting all the help possible is no bad thing.