Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin is one of the best in the NFL. McLaurin made his first Pro Bowl in 2022 after posting the third 1,000-yard receiving season in his four-year career.
Considering McLaurin has played with nine different starting quarterbacks in four seasons, that’s an amazing accomplishment. Of those nine quarterbacks, McLaurin seemingly had the best chemistry with Taylor Heinicke, who has started the most games under center in McLaurin’s Washington tenure.
The quarterback who played in Washington’s 2022 season finale, Sam Howell, was making his first career start. The talented fifth-round pick from North Carolina completed 11 of 19 passes for 169 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Howell also scored a rushing touchdown.
Howell’s first NFL completion was a 16-yard touchdown pass to McLaurin. Howell wasn’t done making highlights with McLaurin, completing a 52-yard beauty down the right sideline that was one of the more impressive throws of the 2022 NFL season.
Howell hit McLaurin in stride. What a ball pic.twitter.com/sGRHvGew3D
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) January 8, 2023
Howell was impressive in the win, but it was just one start. Still, head coach Ron Rivera saw enough to give Howell a chance to head into the offseason as the projected starter for 2023. Yes, he will need to earn the position, but McLaurin believes Howell is doing everything right.
“His first start, actually against the Cowboys, was a great first step,” McLaurin said last week after new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy’s introductory press conference.
“I don’t want to put the cart before the horse, but I think, just the way he handled himself from a demeanor standpoint, the way he prepared throughout that entire week against a really good defense, and the way he handled himself even when he had adversity during the game was outstanding for a guy in his first at the end of the year.”
Before McLaurin turned to discuss Bieniemy, he said the following about himself and his fellow wide receivers: “I know the receivers; we’re excited to get ready to help him out,” McLaurin said.
McLaurin is the ultimate team guy. He’ll do anything to help any teammate; make no mistake, McLaurin sees Howell’s potential, and with a new coordinator like Bieniemy, he believes the sky is the limit.
