The term “breakout player” is usually reserved for a young player who has yet to prove themselves. The player is talented, but whether due to injuries or a lack of opportunities, that player has yet to make an impact.
Ben Solak of ESPN recently named one breakout candidate for each of the 32 NFL teams, including the Washington Commanders. It may shock you who Solak picked for the Commanders. It’s not quarterback Jayden Daniels, who was phenomenal as a rookie but suffered through an injury-plagued 2025 season. It’s not tight end Chig Okonkwo, cornerback Trey Amos, running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt or edge K’Lavon Chaisson.
Solak’s pick for Washington’s 2026 breakout player: wide receiver Terry McLaurin.
Yes, you read that correctly. A soon-to-be 31-year-old wideout with five 1,000-yard seasons and two Pro Bowls to his name is listed as the Commanders’ breakout player.
Why?
We’ll let Solak explain in his own words.
Stick with me on this one. McLaurin, who will turn 31 this September, is the oldest player on this list. He had five consecutive seasons of 1,000 receiving yards from 2020 to 2024. He is very clearly good, and everyone knows this. So how can McLaurin break out? By posting a career year. His first season with over 100 receptions.
It’s safely assumed, given his steady production, that McLaurin is an average No. 1 receiver. I think he can be much better than that. McLaurin had a down year in 2025 thanks to a prolonged contract battle in camp, a quad injury and general offensive regression. Now, in 2026, he gets to play in a David Blough offense that should move him around the formation much more than Kliff Kingsbury’s system ever did.
McLaurin was seventh in yards per route last season (2.56) but 18th in targets per route run. Only 16.8% of his yards came after the catch — 100th in the NFL! If he starts getting the Amon-Ra St. Brown treatment with motions, slot alignments and funneled targets on third downs or in the red zone, he could post career-best marks in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns.
There’s a lot of truth in what Solak said. Shortly after being named offensive coordinator, David Blough said one of his top priorities is getting McLaurin at least 10 targets per game. In Kingsbury’s scheme, McLaurin, who put up a career-high 13 touchdowns in 2024, rarely moved around the formation. It didn’t make sense that Kingsbury wouldn’t move McLaurin around to create defensive mismatches. That will change under Blough.
Would I call that a breakout? Not really. But McLaurin could put up career numbers in 2026. If he stays healthy, 100 receptions or more and another 1,000-yard season is definitely on the table. McLaurin is extremely motivated to put last season’s frustrations behind him.
Breakout or not, we can all agree that McLaurin is in store for a huge 2026 season.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Shocking breakout candidate for Commanders in 2026
