Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin Amber Searls-Imagn Images

Commanders fans stunned by laughable Terry McLaurin Week 1 prediction

Originally posted on Riggo's Rag | By Dean Jones | Last updated Sep 1, 2025 9:00 AM ET

Terry McLaurin is back with the Washington Commanders after finally securing a long-term contract extension. However, one NFL analyst thought his lack of activity throughout the summer could be his undoing in Week 1 against the New York Giants.

McLaurin missed months of practice as his contract battle threatened to go over the edge. Thankfully, everything worked out in the end, but it's now a race against time for the wide receiver en route to making a leading contribution at Northwest Stadium on September 7.

The Commanders might limit McLaurin's reps, but that seems unlikely. He's professional enough to stay in shape. Once the timing improves with superstar quarterback Jayden Daniels in the coming days, that should ensure some prominent involvement for the third-round pick out of Ohio State.

NFL analyst stuns Commanders fans with wild Terry McLaurin predicton for Week 1

Hopes are high that McLaurin can hit the ground running. Even so, Jaren Kawada from Clutch Points predicted the second-team All-Pro to get smothered into an irrelevant afternoon at the office by Giants cornerback Paulson Adebo.

[Terry] McLaurin could not ask for a tougher matchup. He has struggled against the Giants in the last two years, averaging just 48.8 yards per game in his last five games against New York. McLaurin only had 41 total receiving yards in his two games against the Giants in 2024. McLaurin will now go head-to-head with star cornerback Paulson Adebo, whom the Giants acquired in free agency. Adebo only allowed 34 receptions on 281 coverage snaps in 2024, according to Pro Football Focus. For whatever reason, the Giants seem to have his number, and the matchup will only get tougher in 2025.Jaren Kawada

While nothing could be completely dismissed after such a turbulent offseason, McLaurin always rises to the occasion. And if Adebo is tasked with going up against the gifted pass-catcher, he's going to have his work cut out for him.

Adebo signed for the Giants this offseason despite playing just seven games for the New Orleans Saints in 2024 due to injury. He could also have some ring rust in a competitive setting, and his 63.9 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus — ranked 85th out of 222 qualifying cornerbacks — doesn't exactly scream consistency.

McLaurin didn't do much versus the Giants last season, but he didn't need to. The first game was in Week 2 when Daniels was still finding his feet. Their second contest was so one-sided that the Commanders had the luxury of using the two-time Pro Bowler as a decoy to preserve his ankle issue.

More will be needed from McLaurin in this one. Deonte Banks is much more likely to see time opposite the wideout. But either way, this prediction could look laughable when it's all said and done.