Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera met with the media on Monday after Washington’s 45-15 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
While there isn’t much Rivera can say about the Commanders at this point, one topic of conversation Monday was the lack of production from the wide receivers.
Terry McLaurin was expected to have another big season under new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy in 2023. Jahan Dotson was a popular pick as one of the NFL’s breakout players. Yet, McLaurin doesn’t have one game with 100 receiving yards, and Dotson has just one.
In Sunday’s loss, McLaurin was held without a catch and had just three targets.
After the game, his frustration was apparent.
“I ran a lot of cardio,” McLaurin said. “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.”
On Monday, Rivera was asked if McLaurin had shared his thoughts on his lack of targets with him.
Rivera acknowledged that he had spoken with McLaurin.
“Yeah, I’ve talked with Terry before, and we’ve talked about those things, and I know he’s talked to Eric, and he’s gone in, and he and EB have good conversations from what I understand,” Rivera answered.
“That’s then to me that’s the way you handle it is you go in and you talk directly. I think that’s big of what he’s been doing. It’s been big of him to come in and fight the frustration and talk about it if that’s what needs to be.”
McLaurin has every reason to be frustrated. He didn’t suddenly forget how to get open. And the fact he and Dotson’s numbers are both down, says the problem is deeper than the pair just failing to get open consistently. It’s especially concerning considering Washington’s high-volume passing attack this season.
Does Bieniemy not do a good enough job of creating opportunities for McLaurin? Or does the blame lie with quarterback Sam Howell? Or is there some truth to McLaurin not creating enough separation?
All things could be true. Regardless, it speaks of larger problems for Washington’s struggling offense, which is an indictment of the coaching staff.