Who Is the Greatest Redskins Receiver of All Time?

This article was prompted by Terry McLaurin achieving a significant milestone during the final game of the

Commanders’ lackluster 2023 season. With just 1:06 remaining in the fourth quarter and Washington trailing the

Cowboys 38-10, McLaurin caught a 15-yard pass from Sam Howell. This catch made him the first receiver in franchise history to achieve four 1,000-yard seasons within his first five years with the club.

While many fans celebrated McLaurin’s accomplishment, highlighting it as a bright spot in an otherwise forgettable

season, the article raises a critical perspective. McLaurin’s achievement of four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons was

made possible by the NFL extending the regular season to 16 games starting in 2021. Comparatively, other receivers

in franchise history achieved similar milestones in seasons of 16 or fewer games. Had McLaurin played under these

same conditions, he would have only achieved two 1,000-yard seasons, as he surpassed the mark in the 17th game of both the 2021 and 2023 seasons.

The article clarifies that this analysis isn’t meant to diminish McLaurin’s early career success with Washington. His

performance over his first five seasons stands out as one of the fastest starts for a receiver in franchise history,

depending on the criteria used for comparison. His consistent high-level performance is especially noteworthy given

the challenges posed by inconsistent quarterback play and team performance during his tenure.

Looking forward, there’s optimism that in a stable team environment, McLaurin could potentially challenge the

franchise’s greatest receivers. However, the article contends that claiming he has already achieved that status may be premature.

The article then transitions to a broader discussion about how accomplishments and greatness are evaluated in

franchise history. It suggests that traditional metrics often exhibit a bias towards recent achievements. To address

this, the author proposes a comprehensive review of all players who have staked a claim to being the franchise’s greatest receiver, spanning different eras and game formats from nine to 17 games per season.

Rather than imposing a singular opinion on who deserves the title of Greatest Receiver in Franchise History, the

article presents four alternative viewpoints for readers to consider and debate. This approach aims to enrich the

discussion by exploring different perspectives on what defines greatness in the context of the Commanders’ receivers throughout their history.

Lastly, the article acknowledges the team’s history across various names, opting to refer to them as ‘Redskins’ when

discussing players who have made significant contributions to the franchise’s legacy. This decision reflects a

commitment to inclusivity and comprehensive historical analysis from the team’s inception in Boston to its current iteration as the Commanders.