Jayden Daniels just proved Terry McLaurin disrespect won’t be tolerated

Terry McLaurin had to wait a long time before getting his long-term contract extension from the Washington Commanders. His agents and general manager, Adam Peters, worked things out in the end, but it deprived the wide receiver of valuable reps throughout the summer.

McLaurin opted to skip offseason workouts, mandatory minicamp, and training camp until his contract saga was resolved successfully. He didn't practice with his teammates for months and was barely seen around the facility in Ashburn. Now he's back, but time is of the essence to ensure he's ready to hit the ground running in Week 1 against the New York Giants.

The former Ohio State standout is among the league's best. McLaurin was also professional enough to keep himself in shape throughout this drawn-out affair. True football conditioning is something else entirely, as is making sure the timing is absolutely on point with quarterback sensation Jayden Daniels.

Jayden Daniels confident his connection with Terry McLaurin can pick up where it left off

Critics have wondered if McLaurin's actions this offseason will jeopardize the Commanders' chances of making an early splash. This is a little disrespectful to the player, and Daniels made it clear that it won't be much of an issue when push comes to shove.

I mean, I told y'all he was coming back soon. So, I'm excited. Getting reps; that's the only thing we could really go with now. We didn't have a whole camp, so…as many reps as possible. I don't think it [chemistry] ever leaves.Jayden Daniels via Commanders.com

Saying that McLaurin won't be ready is a false illusion. He's the model professional who never misses games. He's a supreme performer on the field and an exceptional leader in the locker room. And one only has to see how much he hit it off with Daniels last season to see why complications should be kept to a minimum.

The duo pushed each other to be great last season, and the results spoke for themselves. They were a dynamic tandem that took the league by storm. Not having the wideout around this offseason wasn't ideal, but if anyone can make sure it doesn't become a problem, it's McLaurin.

The Commanders need McLaurin to be at his best. They need him to reconnect quickly with Daniels. They need him to resume his status as an alpha. It's a lot to ask, but his transition back into the fold couldn't be going any better.

If the same trend continues in the coming days, expect McLaurin to become a focal point against the Giants and way beyond that.

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