McLaurin, who is trying to reach 1,000 receiving yards for the fifth straight season, has eight receptions for 39 yards in the first two games.
ASHBURN, Va. — Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels threw for 226 yards and completed 23 of 29 passes in Washington’s 21-18 win over the Giants on Sunday. Daniels has yet to lose the ball and has yet to throw a touchdown pass. One thing the Commanders have noticed is the lack of opportunities for former Pro Bowl receiver Terry McLaurin, who is trying for his fifth straight 1,000-yard receiving season.
“We’ve got to find a way to get Terry more involved. That’s entirely my responsibility,” offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said. “He’s a great player, one of the best players in the league, and I’ve got to find a way to get him the ball.”
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“I know they want to get me the ball and in different ways,” McLaurin said. “We’re just trying to get this offense going as a whole. Obviously Jayden being a new quarterback, it takes time to get going as well, but I think he’s doing a really good job and it’s just a matter of continuing to put the pieces together and seize opportunities to make plays down the field. I know what I bring to the team. I just have to be ready for those opportunities.”
Kingsbury and Daniels noticed defenses focusing on McLaurin over the first two weeks. He caught a team-high eight passes for just 39 yards, an average of 4.9 yards per reception.
“Obviously we’ve got to get Terry the ball, but at the end of the day, you’ve got to spread the ball around,” said Daniels, who threw passes to eight different receivers Sunday. “Defenses are going to focus on one Terry. I have to respect him for what he’s done in this league, but at the end of the day, when it’s time and we’re going to have a one-on-one game and Terry’s on the field, let him win.”
“Defensive coordinators are smart. They’re going to try to keep him away, there’s no question about it,” Kingsbury said. “It’s my job to find ways to address that. I haven’t done a good job of that so far and as a staff and I, we have to do better going forward.”
McLaurin, who has played with a new starter from Week 1 every season since joining the Commanders in 2019, is being patient with a new offensive scheme and a quarterback he knows can be special.
“I’m always ready to take my opportunities, but sometimes I’m in a waiting game,” McLaurin said. “I just try to stay focused and be ready when they come my way.”
