Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury warned everyone before the season

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For Washington offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, the problems in 2025 began long before the first game.

Kingsbury had put together an amazing Commanders offense throughout the 2024 season. But the 2025 season obstacles began early for his offense.

Starting wide receiver Terry McLaurin wanted a contract extension. His agent, Buddy Baker of Exclusive Sports Group, and McLaurin were convinced they were going to hit it big. When training camp began for rookies on July 18, McLaurin and the Commanders were still not close. McLaurin decided to voice his frustration publicly in a 30-minute press conference that was, in essence, him attempting to convince the local media that he was the victim and the Commanders were the bad guys.

Camp opened July 22 with no McLaurin. First, he was holding out, then he was holding in, so he could be paid. But McLaurin and the Commanders had no agreement, and Kingsbury was asked Thursday how this affected the season for Jayden Daniels and McLaurin together in the offense.

“Unfortunately, they didn't have much time on task together," expressed Kingsbury. Kingsbury, to his credit, was the only coach willing to vocalize what no one else was during training camp publicly. It was nice that McLaurin was in meetings, but, as Kingsbury stated, what was absolutely needed was time together on the grass, building chemistry and timing in the passing game.

Kingsbury turned out to be prophetic, knowing what he was talking about. He knew the offense would suffer. August 25, McLaurin signed a three-year extension in which he would receive guaranteed money only for the 2026 season. But in the opener the offense struggled and against the Packers in Week 2 they looked completely lost.

"I think it was the second game, Jayden went out, and then Terry was out soon thereafter," Kingsbury said. "But yeah, they definitely had great rapport the year before."

Daniels was injured late in the second game, and McLaurin was injured the following week. Daniels' season was a story of repeated injuries, getting hurt in four games, and playing only seven. McLaurin was injured in two games himself, missing a total of seven games, as the Commanders head into the finale against the Eagles.

Kingsbury is on his third quarterback in Josh Johnson. But he does have hope, thinking ahead to next season and having Daniels and McLaurin back together. "It is just the more time on task together, I don't think it'll take much. They’re two great players that are going to elevate anybody they have around them. And so, I think they'll elevate each other like they did the year previous and continue to work well."

The Commanders could certainly benefit from a 2026 offseason of Kingsbury, Daniels and McLaurin on the same page.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Kliff Kingsbury was right all along

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