The 2024 season for the Washington Commanders was a surprise for most, with Jayden Daniels taking to the NFL like a duck to water as he completed a quick turnaround for the franchise.
A 12-win season, an NFC Championship appearance, and an Offensive Rookie of the Year award, Daniels was superb. But he had help.
Star receiver Terry McLaurin was Daniels' go-to guy with "Scary Terry" hauling in a career-high 13 touchdowns to go with his 1,096 yards, as he continued his impressive levels of excellence.
Looking back on the year that was, McLaurin was nothing but impressed with how Jayden handled himself.
“The way I saw Jayden grow leaps and bounds last year, honestly, we all knew the type of competitor he was when he first got here. He's an extremely smart player and he's very charismatic,” McLaurin said via WUSA9.
"There were a lot of Sundays where he was our best player out there, you know what I mean? And the way he's able to extend plays with his legs, his arm, and he can make all the throws. And again, I think it's just his competitive nature, where you feel like you got a chance to make big plays with the ball in his hands. So I'm just looking forward to growing with him.”
Now with another full offseason together, the expectations for Jayden and Terry are through the roof, but general manager Adam Peters didn't like that it was McLaurin or bust in the passing game.
Enter Deebo Samuel.
Now, Daniels has two studs to work with, and McLaurin now won't see defenses shift their coverage to stifle him; they have to worry about Samuel, too.
That will help open up a host of things for the Commanders' passing attack, and Daniels will no doubt look to take another big step forward in his development.
And McLaurin will be riding shotgun, just as he was last year.
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