(Photo: Fox Sports)
The Ohio State University. It’s one of the blue blood programs in our sport and could also make a strong case for being “Wide Receiver U,” as many big-name receivers have donned the scarlet and gray—such as Cris Carter, Ted Ginn Jr., and Joey Galloway from the past, and more recently, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Chris Olave, and Garrett Wilson. All three of the latter were on the same roster at one point and have gone on to make names for themselves in the NFL. Marvin Harrison Jr. is another standout, and I’m sure we’ll be adding Jeremiah Smith to that list very soon. Another Buckeye alum is Terry McLaurin, who’s been in the headlines recently due to his contract holdout with the Washington Commanders. Today, both sides reached an agreement: Terry will remain with the franchise for the next three seasons, signing a $96 million contract extension.
Terry was drafted by Washington in the third round with the 78th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. I remember watching him during his college days—he’s made tremendous strides and has developed into a significantly better player since then. Now, I’m not saying he’s a tier-one wide receiver in the same bracket as Ja’Marr Chase or Justin Jefferson, but Terry has become elite in his own right. He may not be the flashiest or most electric receiver in the league, but he’s been remarkably consistent. Over the past five seasons, he has eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards each year and hasn’t missed a game since 2020. I believe he’s one of the more underrated players in the league. Had he been traded before signing this extension, he could’ve easily been a number-one option on several teams. As a player, he has great hands, runs a full route tree, and shows up wherever and whenever you need him. He thrives on contested catches—you can cover him step for step, but he still finds a way to get separation and make the play. At the catch point, he consistently wins those 50/50 battles. I don’t think people truly realize how fast Terry is. He can absolutely fly with the ball in his hands. I remember a play in the Divisional Round this past January against the Detroit Lions—he took a simple screen pass 59 yards to the house. I’ve said this for years: catching the football is great, but what matters just as much is what a receiver can do after the catch. Terry excels in the open field—he’s tough, elusive, and difficult to bring down.
He always wants the ball. Throughout his time in Washington, he’s played with a rotating cast of quarterbacks and has still produced at a high level. Now, he has a rising star in Jayden Daniels throwing him the football. They became a tandem to watch last season, and whenever Jayden needed a playmaker, Terry was the one who delivered. I understand he may never be considered a top-five receiver, but he’s as steady and reliable as they come—and a vital piece of this Commanders offense. I know Jayden is happy to have his number one target back.
