Commanders' Dan Quinn's 'joy' of seeing Terry McLaurin back

It’s often said that you don’t know what you have until it’s gone. That’s what happened to the Washington Commanders last summer when star wide receiver Terry McLaurin skipped offseason activities and missed training camp while he was engaged in contentious contract talks with the Commanders.

The two sides eventually agreed to a deal, but the damage was done. McLaurin, the ultimate team leader, missed valuable offseason work with quarterback Jayden Daniels. He was injured in Week 3, which some attribute to him missing training camp. Fair or not, McLaurin’s absence was felt on and off the field last season.

McLaurin was back with the Commanders for every offseason activity in 2026. His coaches and teammates couldn’t hide their excitement. His importance on the field is known. He’s Washington’s No. 1 wide receiver and one of the NFL’s best. However, his value to his younger teammates is immeasurable.

On the first day of Commanders’ training camp on Wednesday, here you can see McLaurin mentoring undrafted rookie receiver Jaden Bradley.

Terry McLaurin seemed to take undrafted rookie Jaden Bradley (among others) under his wing during OTAs and minicamp and has continued it into training camp. They were working together after practice today. pic.twitter.com/5SGr07wDnV

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) July 29, 2026

That’s not something you often see from veteran No. 1 receivers entering their eighth NFL season.

Head coach Dan Quinn shared the importance of having McLaurin around for all of the offseason before Wednesday’s practice.

“I don’t know if I can quantify it, but I know it, I can feel it,” Quinn said. “His interaction with his teammates, man, he is playing with joy. And it was so evident from the first practice; there was a sideline catch by Jeremy McNichols, just, like, as a running back, kept his feet and just a crazy catch on the sideline. And the first person down the sideline sprinting past everybody was Terry. I said, ‘That’s a player with joy.'”

Quarterback Jayden Daniels was equally as effusive in his praise for McLaurin.

“His presence, his voice,” Daniels said of McLaurin. “I mean, this is a guy that’s been doing it for countless years. Yeah, I did age Terry. Terry, man, he’s just a true pro, true vet. You guys see him after practice, coaching up the younger guys, giving the game back, the knowledge, just bringing that energy. So, last year was last year, but now we’re happy to step forward and then hit day one of training camp moving forward and hit the ground running.”

That’s the sound of a quarterback thrilled to have his top weapon back healthy.

Much of the offseason has been dominated by which veteran receiver Washington will sign to play opposite McLaurin. What if a healthy McLaurin is truly the Commanders’ big receiver move?

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders’ Dan Quinn’s ‘joy’ of seeing Terry McLaurin back