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Commanders star WR gives ringing endorsement of hoodies ... and his quarterback
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- Commanders star WR gives ringing endorsement of hoodies ... and his quarterback
ASHBURN, VA − After speaking with reporters for nearly a half hour Wednesday about his recently signed extension , and following his first practice of the summer on a pleasant but unseasonably cool August afternoon at Commanders Park, Terry McLaurin was just about ready to call it a day.
Then he got a question about the hoodies, which he seemed to perpetually wear at the team's facility – regardless of Northern Virginia's infamous summer heat and humidity – while his teammates were on the field and in uniform during McLaurin's training camp hold-in, when he was awaiting his new deal and rehabbing an ankle injury while on the physically unable to perform list.
McLaurin returned to the table where he'd just conducted his lengthy press conference to wax poetic on what is apparently his garment of choice.
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"What people don't know about the hoodie," he grinned, "(L)ike, I'm a hoodie guy. Like, it could be 90 degrees out. I'm going to wear a hoodie. It could be 50 degrees out. I'm going to wear a hoodie. And it's like, I mean, you can catch me out here in Ashburn, I probably got a hoodie on because I'm trying to stay low key. Like, I just, I never want to be like, in the way."
McLaurin's months-long financial impasse had threatened to get in the way of Washington's upcoming season following the club's unexpected run to the NFC championship game in 2024 . But he and the team agreed to a three-year contract Monday worth up to $96 million, paving the way for his return to the fold and first-team reps Wednesday.
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And McLaurin's teammates couldn't have been happier to re-embrace a guy who's been a team leader almost from the moment he was drafted in 2019, his steady presence desperately needed during the final years of Dan Snyder's ownership as much as his production on the field was.
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"I didn't even know like it was announced yet," McLaurin said when reflecting on Monday's events, "and I go back into the weight room to lift, and – I'm not kidding – like 30 guys were in the weight room giving me an ovation, cheering for me, happy for me, patting me on the back, just loving me up. And through all this entire process that was the biggest gift that I probably got in playing football.
"And for guys to – I'm talking, they're coming from the cafeteria, they're coming from the training room – just to congratulate me and give me a hug and just say how happy they are for me. And that's what the brotherhood's about."
The support of reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels , 24, was especially important to McLaurin even though he's five years older than his quarterback.
"That's my guy. That's my dog man," McLaurin said of Daniels, with whom he forged a strong bond on and off the field in 2024. "All this was kind of unraveling and to be able to have conversations with your quarterback, but (also) somebody I consider my friend and my teammate, it really helped me."
Dec 1, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) celebrates with fans in the stands after scoring a touchdown against Tennessee Titans during the first half at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
McLaurin admitted the process to land his third contract was a tough one – bad enough that he said the trade request he made during it wasn't merely a negotiating ploy. But no bad blood seemed to linger on either side of the table Wednesday.
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"(I)t was a long time, obviously from when we started the talks until when we got finished," said general manager Adam Peters, who had a few sideline conversations with a hoodied McLaurin during training camp.
"But I think you get optimistic, pessimistic, all those different things throughout the process. But what we'd never lost was our love and respect and really admiration for Terry and what he does for us on and off the field."
And now it's back to the field, McLaurin's ankle and bank account once again fully healthy. He'll be aiming for a sixth consecutive season with at least 1,000 receiving yards and is looking forward to playing with new teammates like fellow receiver Deebo Samuel and left tackle Laremy Tunsil . McLaurin is also especially excited to reunite with Daniels, who threw him 12 of his career-high 13 touchdown receptions in 2024.
"This is my first time in my career," said McLaurin, "I have the same quarterback two years in a row. That definitely helps, you know? And then just in a situation where I'm in the same offense as well, you know what I mean?"
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McLaurin will again be a marked man on the field while remaining a highly popular one off it – whether in the locker room or amongst Washington's fans. But that doesn't mean he won't continue to try maintaining a low profile.
"(T)he hoodie's not going anywhere, man," he said, adding with a laugh that it will continue to help disguise him.
"I'm a hoodie person. So, shout out to all the hoodie people out there."
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Commanders' Terry McLaurin loves hoodies, Jayden Daniels, teammates
