The Washington Commanders took another step in their preparation for the 2026 season on Monday, holding their first full-pads practice of training camp in Ashburn, Virginia.
With better expectations after last year's campaign, one of the biggest areas of focus continues to be the offense and, more specifically, the chemistry between quarterback Jayden Daniels and wide receiver Terry McLaurin.
Washington also enters the season with a different look at wide receiver. After moving on from Deebo Samuel, who has since returned to the San Francisco 49ers, the Commanders added Dyami Brown, Van Jefferson and Treylon Burks on one-year veteran minimum deals.
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While those additions add depth, the offense will once again rely heavily on the connection Daniels and McLaurin have built over the last few seasons. That connection has continued to grow throughout the offseason, according to McLaurin.
Speaking with ESPN's Jeremy Fowler during training camp, the veteran receiver said he has already seen that chemistry carry over from the spring workouts to the practice field.
“The connection with me and Jayden has been great, not just from OTAs, but through the summer. And you're starting to see it on the field,” McLaurin said. “So, in the red zone, I know Blough's gonna give me a lot of opportunities to make plays, and it's on me just to come down with it, but when you have the connection that me and Jayden continue to build on, it's already third year. It's the first time I've had a quarterback for three years, especially with somebody's talent.”
The two-time Pro Bowler also pointed to Daniels' growth away from the field, saying the quarterback has continued to develop as one of the team's leaders entering his third season.
“It's just fun to be able to work with a guy like that, and you just see him continuing to grow as a leader,” the WR added. “His vocalness is definitely standing out even more. He's a laid-back guy, but when he says things, you definitely listen. So, just sending texts back and forth, chilling off the field has definitely continued to grow our connection."
The Daniels-McLaurin partnership played a major role in Washington's run to the NFC Championship Game in 2024. The two connected 82 times that season, with McLaurin finishing with 1,089 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns.
Last season was a different story. Daniels appeared in just seven games, while McLaurin missed seven contests because of injuries, the first time he had missed that many games in his NFL career. With both players back on the field together during training camp, the Commanders are hoping to get that production back.
