Terry McLaurin contract drama has a bright side that can help Jayden Daniels take a step forward in 2025

The Terry McLaurin-Washington Commanders contract drama is nothing to worry about, right now. In fact, there's a bright side to the situation that can help the team not only take a big step in 2025, but sustain said success in the future.

It's the fact that other players can take advantage of McLaurin's absence by getting the reps he'd normally receive. That means a second- or third-string (or lower) player getting more passes thrown his way by Jayden Daniels or lining up across from Mike Sainristil or Marshon Lattimore more often.

As they say, iron sharpens iron, and players receiving more substantial reps should see their learning curve accelerate more than it typically would if McLaurin was around.

"In the meantime... we try to customize as much as we can... Who can do some things, who can do everything, who needs to see more [reps] during this time of year, and who do we need to see less [of]," Dan Quinn told reporters Tuesday. "And so this is one of those times you're really able to customize the script and the work to do that."

No final roster decisions are being made in June, but a player who seizes this opportunity could catch a coach's attention that leads to more substantial reps in training camp that would've taken longer to accrue had McLaurin been around. 

The Commanders need to develop their receivers past McLaurin Deebo Samuel, and Noah Brown as well. Luke McCaffrey is looking to make a solid jump in Year 2 and then there's rookie fourth-rounder Jaylin Lane, who's been learning both slot and perimeter receiver responsibilities over the last few weeks.

Don't forget veterans like K.J. Osborn and Michael Gallup, who have shown they can have solid NFL success. You never know, McLaurin's absence could open the door for someone, or someones, to become a viable contributor quicker than expected and as we all know, the more weapons Daniels has, the better it'll be for everyone involved - hands down.