The blame game has already begun.
Things have not started well for the Washington Commanders this season, and fans are inevitably looking for scapegoats. Some are more obvious than others, but this is a collective effort in victory and the same goes when times get tougher.
Nicki Jhabvala from The Athletic took a lot of heat from the fan base on social media during the offseason by proclaiming that something just felt off about this team. The respected analyst and team insider said the vibes just weren't the same compared to Washington's memorable run to the NFC Championship game. Based on the first seven weeks, fans owe her an apology.
Commanders' struggles have nothing whatsoever to do with Terry McLaurin's holdout
While all the attention centered on Marshon Lattimore and other defensive struggles during their pathetic surrender against the Dallas Cowboys, some fans are starting to wonder whether Terry McLaurin is becoming a distraction that this team doesn't need right now.
The wide receiver wasn't on the field all summer due to a fierce contract standoff with the Commanders. McLaurin eventually got a new deal, although it wasn't close to the money he was after. This always had the scope to cause complications, and the second-team All-Pro had barely shaken off the rust before going down with quad and hip injuries.
McLaurin's been missing for four games. He's not spoken to the media at any stage, while other injured players have. He's not traveled with the team to away games, and he's acting a little differently. Maybe getting hurt and missing a considerable period for the first time in his career is taking a toll, but it's not hard to see why fans are starting to ask questions.
There doesn't seem to be much substance attached. McLaurin is a revered member of the locker room and one of the team's most accomplished performers. One only has to look at how excited his teammates were at the thought of him returning to practice to see that.
People always look to cause friction and stir things up just for the sake of it. But partly blaming McLaurin for the team's struggles is asinine.
The Commanders' problems run much deeper than McLaurin's lengthy summer absence and subsequent injury. Jhabvala saw it before everyone else, and her unfortunate projection is sadly unfolding in front of the eyes of fans who were anticipating another deep playoff run from this ambitious squad.
Regardless of when McLaurin comes back, that looks a long way off right now.