Jonathan Allen and Terry McLaurin have seen a lot in their seven and five seasons with Washington, respectively. Whether it is multiple head coaches, GMs, name changes, or losing seasons, Allen and McLaurin have seen it all and remained the faces of the franchise.
However, frustration is at an all-time high for the two captains. After a Week 7 loss to the New York Giants, Allen went off an expletive-filled tirade after the game.
Allen had cooled down by the time he spoke to the “Sports Junkies” the day after the game, but he was clearly frustrated.
After Washington’s home blowout loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 13, Allen was again frustrated. On his Monday spot with the “Sports Junkies,” he was noncommital about his future with the Commanders.
“1,000 percent,” Allen said when asked if he thought about playing somewhere else. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t. I play this game to win, and I would love to win here, for sure. But I want to win, first and foremost.”
McLaurin was also frustrated after the Dolphins’ loss. He had three targets and no receptions in the game and appears an afterthought at times in offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy’s offense.
“I ran a lot of cardio,” McLaurin said after the game. “It happens; it comes with it when it’s tough. Yeah, it’s frustrating, but I’m going to keep coming in and practicing and playing hard.”
The Commanders returned to practice Wednesday, and head coach Ron Rivera was asked about what he says to veteran leaders like Allen and McLaurin during such a difficult season.
“Well, just the biggest thing is that guys do look to them and again, they just continue to lead and just understand this is something that you’ll go through and that at some point, it gets better,” Rivera said. “You just got to continue to work and work and work.”
Unfortunately for the Commanders, it’s unlikely to get any better soon. Washington will likely be big underdogs in all four of their remaining games. Immediately after the season, new owner Josh Harris is expected to make sweeping changes to the organization he purchased in July.