Commanders Terry McLaurin learning what it means to be a leader
Terry McLaurin learned this week he is the longest tenured Washington offensive player.
Julie Donaldson informed McLaurin when the two sat down for a chat this week.
McLaurin expressed he has focused on maintaining the standard set by coaches, has been learning to become more comfortable as a leader and have the courage to say what needs to be said.
TERRY MCLAURIN.
WHAT. A. CATCH. 😵
(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/yfI9Ajy8RS— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 12, 2021
Eric Bieniemy, the new offensive coordinator, has brought in his new offense, and McLaurin is busy learning it as quickly as he can. “It’s been fun, challenging at times. But it has forced us to come in with a different level of focus each and every day because you’re learning something new.”
McLaurin spoke of the team having a new offensive coaching staff and two new quarterbacks being a challenge in itself. “It’s your job, so you gotta figure it out.”
“He (Bieniemy) definitely coaches hard… I wanted to put my best foot forward and make a good impression, knowing that he can trust me as a leader, as a player; I am going to do my job.”
“I think his intensity is something we all feel so far.”
When Donaldson spoke that this season means for McLaurin another new quarterback, McLaurin paused, simply nodded in the affirmative, and calmly said, “Yeah.” Donaldson responded, “That says enough right there.”
Donaldson then inquired if McLaurin knew how many quarterbacks from whom he had caught passes since coming to Washington. McLaurin replied, “It’s got to be double digits now, right?” Yes, it’s ten, affirmed Donaldson.
The ten quarterbacks to whom Donaldson was referring are: Case Keenum, Dwayne Haskins, Colt McCoy, Alex Smith, Kyle Allen, Taylor Heinicke, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Garrett Gilbert, Carson Wentz and Sam Howell.
Sometimes we have our own idea of what leadership will be for us. We imagine how others will need to adjust to us. However, McLaurin has had to learn the hard way that for him, it is himself adjusting to change and leading teammates to follow his example.
