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Commanders Want Terry McLaurin to Get 10 Targets a Game
Washington Commanders offensive coordinator David Blough said that he wants wide receiver Terry McLaurin to get at least 10 targets per game. "This thing's going to be built around how do we get Terry 10 targets a game and get him explosive receptions after explosive receptions to kind of flip the field," Blough told WUSA9's John Doran. That's an aggressive goal to set, especially when stated publicly. McLaurin averaged just six targets per game in 2025, albeit with an inconsistent quarterback mix of Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota, and Josh Johnson. Furthermore, he posted double-digit targets just once: in Week 13 against the Denver Broncos, with Mariota as his quarterback. Daniels is due back from an elbow injury in time for the 2026 season opener, which is a good sign for McLaurin's volume. The 30-year-old receiver averaged 11.4 full-PPR points per game last season and should rank as a mid-to-high WR2 ahead of 2026 fantasy football drafts.
Source: John Doran
Source: John Doran
Deebo Samuel Sr. Hits Free Agency After a Decent Season
Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. continued to deliver decent contributions in the passing game last season, which was his first with the team. He finished the year with 72 catches, 727 receiving yards, and five receiving touchdowns, his highest marks in those categories since 2021. He also rushed for 75 yards and an additional touchdown on the ground. Although it was a good but not great year by Samuel's standards, he still finished as the overall WR25 in full-PPR leagues, cementing himself as a low-end WR2 or high-end WR3/flex on a weekly basis. Samuel restructured his contract with the Commanders to become a free agent this offseason, so he'll hit the open market in March. A return to Washington seems possible, but he'll presumably explore all of his options before putting pen to paper. Samuel fits best on a team with an established No. 1 wide receiver, so that he can operate as the No. 2 receiver with contributions as a gadget-type player behind the line of scrimmage or in the short-to-medium passing game. His 2026 fantasy outlook will depend on his landing spot and his eventual quarterback pairing, but for now, we'd expect him to remain a top-30 fantasy receiver.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jayden Daniels' Long-Term Durability is in Question After Injury-Marred 2025
After an electric rookie season in 2024 that saw him lead his team to the NFC Championship Game, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels battled through a miserable follow-up campaign in 2025. The 25-year-old suffered a knee injury in Week 2, a hamstring injury in Week 7, a dislocated elbow in Week 9, and finally a season-ending re-aggravation of the elbow injury in Week 14. Overall, Daniels was limited to just seven games played and completed 60.6% of his pass attempts for 1,262 yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions while rushing for 278 yards and two scores on 58 attempts. In addition to the reduced volume, Daniels' efficiency as both a passer and a rusher also suffered. After averaging 7.4 yards per pass attempt and 6.0 yards per rush attempt in 2024, Daniels averaged 6.7 yards per pass attempt and 4.8 yards per rush attempt in 2025. In 2026, former Commanders' assistant quarterbacks coach David Blough will take over for Kliff Kingsbury as Washington's offensive play-caller, throwing some uncertainty into the offensive environment around Daniels. Daniels high-end dual-threat potential means he still carries elite fantasy upside in dynasty formats, but he will have to prove he can stay healthy in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
How Much is Left in the Tank for Austin Ekeler?
Pending free agent running back Austin Ekeler signed a two-year deal with the Washington Commanders before the 2024 season, but has struggled with injuries since. The 30-year-old back managed fewer than 70 offensive snaps in 2025 before a devastating Achilles injury ended his season in Week 2. While his touchdown numbers have dropped precipitously from his fantasy glory days with the Chargers, he continued to prove himself a valuable part of the Commanders' passing game. With almost a full year of recovery before the start of the 2026 season and a work ethic second to none, it should come as no surprise if he signs a minimal short-term deal when free agency opens in March, potentially carving out a dedicated third-down role. While his RB1 days are clearly behind him, he could represent a next-to-nothing dynasty buy with the occasional spike week still in his future.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ben Sinnott's Role Could Change in 2026
Washington Commanders tight end Ben Sinnott's role could change in 2026 with new offensive coordinator David Blough calling plays, according to JP Finlay of NBC Sports. "It seemed pretty clear that Kliff didn't see him as a long-term piece of the offense, just because he didn't get many looks," The Athletic's Nicki Jhabvala said. Sinnott only had 11 catches on 13 targets for 114 yards and one touchdown in 16 games for the Commanders in 2025 in his second year in the NFL, even though Ertz missed four games after tearing his ACL. Ertz probably won't be ready for the start of the 2026 campaign and is also a free agent, so Sinnott's role could grow significantly in Washington's offense in his third year in the league. That could change, depending on who the team adds via the draft and free agency in the offseason, but as of right now, Sinnott could be a TE sleeper to monitor.
Source: NBC Sports Washington - JP Finlay
Source: NBC Sports Washington - JP Finlay
Can Terry McLaurin Bounce Back From Career-Worst Season?
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin signed a three-year, $96 million contract just before the start of the 2025 season and then had the worst season of his career in his seventh year in the NFL. McLaurin missed valuable time with injuries and played in a career-low 10 games, catching 38 of his 60 targets for 582 yards and three touchdowns. It broke a string of five straight 1,000-yard seasons from McLaurin, who was a third-round pick by Washington in 2019 out of Ohio State. It was indeed a scary year for McLaurin's fantasy managers. The 30-year-old veteran never had a 100-yard performance. It didn't help that starting quarterback Jayden Daniels only started seven games due to various injuries. With better health, McLaurin should be able to bounce back in 2026, but you shouldn't consider him a lock to return to 1,000 yards with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury no longer around.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Jacory Croskey-Merritt's 2026 Role Uncertain After Up-And-Down Rookie Season
Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt was a fantasy darling during draft season last fall when the team's RB picture was unsettled. His fantasy stock rose even further after Austin Ekeler suffered a season-ending injury early in the year. The 24-year-old seventh-rounder ended up leading the team in carries (175), rushing yards (805), and rushing touchdowns (eight), but he was the RB29 in half-PPR scoring, and he averaged just 8.2 half-PPR points per game in his 17 contests. It didn't help JCM's cause that starting quarterback Jayden Daniels missed most of the season with various injuries. Croskey-Merritt had two 100-yard games in his rookie season, but he also failed to eclipse 50 rushing yards in a game 12 times. The Commanders will have a new offensive coordinator in 2026, and it's hard to say how they'll attack the RB position in free agency and the draft. Croskey-Merritt will have a role next year, but there's a good chance he'll be more of a committee back than a workhorse.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Daronte Jones to Interview for Commanders Defensive-Coordinator Position
Minnesota Vikings defensive passing-game coordinator Daronte Jones will interview with the Washington Commanders on Sunday for their vacant defensive-coordinator position, a source told Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Jones has interviewed for several defensive-coordinator jobs around the league this cycle, including the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers, before they filled their openings. Jones has been with the Vikings since 2022 and has had his current title since 2023. He also served as the DC at LSU in 2021 and has worked as a defensive backs coach for the Cincinnati Bengals and Miami Dolphins. The Vikings' defense ranked seventh in points allowed per game and led the league in passing yards allowed per game in 2025 under Jones. The Commanders are looking to replace Joe Whitt Jr., who was fired after the season.
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
Teryl Austin Interviews for Commanders Defensive-Coordinator Job
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin interviewed for the Washington Commanders' defensive-coordinator position, sources told Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. Austin has been the Steelers' DC since 2022, and before that, he served in the same role with the Detroit Lions from 2014 to 2017 and with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2018. Pittsburgh's defense was a little shaky under Austin in 2025, but he led the unit to top-10 finishes in points allowed three times and top-15 finishes in yards allowed twice. There's a good chance that Austin won't be back in the Steel City after Mike Tomlin's resignation last week. The Commanders are looking to replace Joe Whitt Jr. Under Whitt in 2025, Washington's D allowed the sixth-most points per game (26.5), the most total yards per game (384), the fifth-most passing yards per game (242.5), and the third-most rushing yards per game (141.8).
Source: The Athletic - Nicki Jhabvala
Source: The Athletic - Nicki Jhabvala
Commanders Hoping to Interview Brian Flores for Defensive-Coordinator Job
The Washington Commanders are hoping to interview Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores for their vacant defensive-coordinator job, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Flores' contract is up in Minnesota, allowing him to look at similar jobs around the league. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell is confident that Flores will return to his DC job in Minnesota, unless he lands a head-coaching gig somewhere. Washington is looking to replace both their offensive and defensive coordinators this offseason after moving on from Kliff Kingsbury and Joe Whitt Jr., respectively, after the 2025 season. Flores is expected to interview for the Baltimore Ravens' head-coaching job this week. In his three years as head coach of the Dolphins, Flores went 24-25 before being fired after the 2021 season.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Commanders Looking for More Run-Pass Balance in 2026
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn and former offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury didn't share the same offensive vision for the future, multiple team and league sources told ESPN's John Keim. According to these sources, Quinn "wanted a different offensive identity" and spoke with his staff about "wanting a better run-pass balance." The Commanders finished ninth in number of rushes, but they ranked 25th in carries by running backs in 2025. Quarterback Jayden Daniels developed a special relationship with Kingsbury, but he also has a strong relationship with former QBs coach David Blough, who has been promoted to take Kingsbury's job. It was a disappointing 2025 for the entire organization, but perhaps more so for Daniels, who was limited to seven games with three different injuries. Washington's offense will seek more balance under Blough next year, but if Daniels is going to bounce back to how he played in his impressive rookie campaign, he's going to need to get healthy first.
Source: ESPN.com - John Keim
Source: ESPN.com - John Keim
David Blough Taking Over as Commanders Offensive Coordinator
The Athletic's Nicki Jhabvala reports that former NFL quarterback David Blough is taking over as the Washington Commanders' offensive coordinator. Blough was a practice-squad QB for the Detroit Lions just two years ago, but he quickly transitioned to coaching as Washington's assistant quarterbacks coach and helped fill in when QBs coach Tavita Pritchard left for Stanford. Blough is a quick riser and a bright offensive talent, but he'll have big shoes to fill in his new role in D.C. after Kliff Kingsbury mutually agreed to part ways with the organization to pursue another head-coaching job. He has worked closely with young QB Jayden Daniels and will need to continue to develop his relationship with him as Daniels heads into his third NFL season. During his playing career, Blough played for Kingsbury, Bears head coach Ben Johnson, and Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell.
Source: The Athletic - Nicki Jhabvala
Source: The Athletic - Nicki Jhabvala
Marshon Lattimore Arrested on Multiple Charges
Washington Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore was arrested on Wednesday night in Lakewood, Ohio, on charges of carrying concealed weapons and improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, according to police. "We have been made aware of the arrest and are gathering more information. We are in communication with the NFL League Office and have no further comment at this time," the Commanders said in a statement. The 29-year-old defensive back suffered a season-ending ACL injury in November of 2025 and played in only nine games for the Commanders this year as a result. The four-time Pro Bowler won Defensive Rookie of the Year back in 2017 with the New Orleans Saints after he was taken 11th overall that year out of Ohio State. Lattimore could be facing a short suspension for his actions to begin the 2026 campaign.
Source: WKYC - Anna Meyer
Source: WKYC - Anna Meyer
Jayden Daniels Disappointed by Departure of Kliff Kingsbury
Key Washington Commanders offensive players, including quarterback Jayden Daniels, are disappointed with the team's decision to part ways with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, according to FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. Daniels vouched for Kingsbury during his season-ending press conference on Monday and was among those "blindsided by the move." Commanders players figured the only way Kingsbury would leave is if he got a head-coaching job, and that's what he's seeking to do this offseason. The 25-year-old Daniels was the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2024 under Kingsbury, throwing for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns, and nine interceptions while also rushing for 891 yards and six more TDs in 17 regular-season games. While Washington's offense was still efficient in 2025, Daniels' season was a disappointment after playing in only seven games due to injuries. His fantasy stock is now trending down because of his injuries and the fact that he'll be learning a new offense heading into Year 3.
Source: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
Source: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
Commanders Fire Defensive Coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.
The Washington Commanders fired defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. on Tuesday, according to Grant Paulsen of 106.7 The Fan. The Commanders also "mutually" parted ways with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury following the 2025 season, so head coach Dan Quinn will be looking for two new coordinators this offseason. The firing of Whitt doesn't come as a big surprise, as the Commanders' defense was a weak spot all season long. Whitt followed Quinn to the nation's capital after working with him in Dallas. Quinn took over defensive play-calling duties midway through the 2025 season, which is why Whitt's firing at the end of the year doesn't come as a surprise to most. Washington allowed the sixth-most points per game (26.5) this year while also surrendering the most yards per game (384), fifth-most passing yards per game (242.5), and third-most rushing yards per game (141.8).
Source: 106.7 The Fan - Grant Paulsen
Source: 106.7 The Fan - Grant Paulsen
