Having a good quarterback in the NFL matters a lot if you are a wide receiver. The best wide receivers can make quarterbacks look better than they are, but truly great wide receivers often have a pretty good quarterback throwing them the ball.
Former Ohio State wide receiver Terry McLaurin was pretty good while in Columbus but he has become an ever better player as a pro. The most impressive part about McLaurin being a pretty good NFL wide receiver with a Pro Bowl nod to his name is that he hasn’t had the best quarterback play.
McLaurin has been the definition of consistent with the Washington Commanders. In each of the last four seasons, the former Buckeye has crossed 1,000 yards and as a rookie he recorded over 900 yards.
Finally, it seems like McLaurin now has the quarterback that he needs for the outlook on his career. Jayden Daniels hasn’t played a down yet in a real game but the early returns are good and there is a ton of reason to be excited about the former Heisman Trophy winner.
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn is already seeing the relationship that Daniels and McLaurin are building and why it is important:
“Quite a bit, because that type of connection. Not all routes thrown to somebody are the same. And so I probably learned that during my time in Atlanta with Matt Ryan and Julio [Jones] and there were certain throws that were to Julio that were a little bit different, you know, based on his unique size and speed that would go,” Quinn explained. “And Terry has some of those same things, like the deep ball to him isn't the same as the next one, so that type of connection certainly matters. The other part that it can happen in a game, a look, a quick signal like, those are the times that you've spent a lot of time and hours together.”
McLaurin has had the following quarterbacks throwing him the football since in the NFL; Case Keenum, Dwayne Haskins, Colt McCoy, Alex Smith, Kyle Allen, Taylor Heinicke, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Garrett Gilbert, Carson Wentz, and Sam Howell. There is no franchise quarterback on that list. Each of the veteran quarterbacks was past their prime and was stop gaps in Washington.
While in the NFL, McLaurin has been able to stay healthy and that has been one of his biggest pluses. He has played in all 17 games for the last three seasons and hasn’t missed more than 3 games in a season.
If all goes to plan, Daniels will become a franchise quarterback for McLaurin and the two can elevate each other’s games while taking Washington to a level they haven’t been in some time. It’ll take some time, but things should be looking up for all involved for Washington.
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