It can be frustrating for a star wide receiver when the ball isn’t coming your way, especially in the season opener against a division rival. That was exactly the case for Washington Commanders star receiver Terry McLaurin, who finished Washington’s opener against the Philadelphia Eagles with just two catches for 14 yards.
With his years of NFL experience, McLaurin learned not to get frustrated when the ball isn’t coming his way. Instead, he focuses on impacting the game in other ways and staying ready for when the ball is eventually thrown his way.
“There’s other ways you can affect the game. There’s other ways you could be ready for at the end of the game and you’re able to convert a fourth down and two,” McLaurin said. “Things are not going
to be perfect, and hopefully you don’t want to end up in situations like that. But, at the end of the day, like, I’ve learned to really just stay positive and present. I want to continue to have, like, really good demeanor and body energy. But sometimes, you get just so focused on trying to make the next play. But, I try not to put too much pressure on myself. I think that’s what I’ve learned: just to stay focused on my technique and stay open-minded, ‘cause that ball’s gonna find you at some point. But if you’re dwelling on the plays that didn’t work out, or maybe you were open and you didn’t get the ball, like when that one play comes up and you miss it, then you’re really gonna be kicking yourself.”
If the Commanders are going to come away from their second game of the season against the Dallas Cowboys with a win, they'll need McLaurin to be more active in the passing attack. He had the most yards and receptions last season among anyone currently on Washington’s roster, even though he missed 10 games.
When both quarterback Jayden Daniels and McLaurin are healthy, they tend to cause problems for opposing defenses. That was the case in 2024 when they played the Cowboys, as McLaurin had five catches for 102 yards and a touchdown in their first matchup. That is precisely the production Daniels, McLaurin, and the rest of the offense are trying to return to after taking a significant step backward last year.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders' Terry McLaurin reacts to lack of Week 1 targets
