Written by :
Published on :
It’s not all sunshine for the Commanders as they look to repeat last season’s playoff run, with star WR Terry McLaurin ‘holding in’ while seeking a new deal.
Scary Terry’s New Home
There wouldn’t be training camps around the National Football League without the requisite amount of holdouts, or ‘hold ins’. The latter is defined as a player(s) who is in camp, but not participating in practices as he seeks a new (or restructured) contract.
Wide receiver Terry McLaurin of the Washington Commanders has made NFL news as one such ‘hold in.’ McLaurin, who turns 30 early in the 2025 season, comes off a Pro Bowl season in 2024 with 82 receptions, 1,096 yards, and a career-best 13 touchdowns.
With five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, McLaurin has emerged as one of the elite receivers in the league. In last season’s improbable run to the title game in the National Football Conference, McLaurin did emerge as the favorite target of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. However, it’s that aforementioned number, as in soon-to-be 30 years old, which may be dissuading the team.
As of this early-August writing, there’s no imminent resolution to this stalemate on the horizon.
While the Commanders remain minus-money favorites in the category of ‘McLaurin 2025 Team,’ that hasn’t prevented NFL rumors and speculation. The New England Patriots are 5-1 (+500) favorites on this ‘board’ should the wide receiver switch jerseys, with the Las Vegas Raiders at 7-1 (+700).
Right behind are the Los Angeles Chargers and the Tennessee Titans at 14-1 (+1400).
Whether this wager has any validity and moves the needle in NFL Super Bowl championship odds depends on how much you think one or both sides in this saga is/are posturing.
Washington was 12-5 last season and is currently an 18-1 (+1800) to win Super Bowl LX. It’s been (or will be) 34 years (Super Bowl XXVI in 1992) since the then-Redskins won the franchise’s third and last title.
Here’s a bit of a primer on McLaurin and the NFL just ahead of the 2025 season…
Is Terry McLaurin a Top WR?
With the Washington Commanders as a true surprise team in NFL scores last season, it was Terry McLaurin as one of their weapons.
As was mentioned, his 2024 resume read 82 receptions, 1,096 yards, and a career-best 13 touchdowns. A fifth consecutive 1,000-yard season is quite the accomplishment, even in a pass-happy league.
Washington is opening its 2025 NFL schedule Sunday, Sept. 7th, hosting the New York Giants as about a touchdown favorite in the game. Then, a short week before traveling to Green Bay on Thursday, Sept. 11th. It’s anyone’s guess right now whether McLaurin’s on the field
When Is the First NFL Game of 2025?
As has been customary in the last number of seasons. There’s a stand-alone opening game hosted by the defending league champions. Thus, the Philadelphia Eagles have the honors this time around, with their NFC East rival Dallas Cowboys, in town Thursday, Sept. 4th.
Philly is a 6½-to-7-point NFL betting odds favorite in the game.
Does BetUS Offer Constant Updates on the NFL Games' Betting Lines?
Indeed, it does, since nothing drives the gambling bus in nearly the way it’s driven by the NFL. BetUS is offering a plethora of wagers, beginning with the preseason right through the regular season and ending with NFL Super Bowl odds. Though no football games today as of this early-August writing, there’s a three-way ‘deadlock’ of favoritism to win the title, with the defending-champ Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, and Buffalo Bills all at 13-2 (+650).
As was mentioned, Washington is an 18-1 (+1800) proposition in NFL Super Bowl championship odds as the franchise attempts to win a fourth title this season.
Remember the board is fluid, so the best advice is always to do your homework to try and strike when the ‘odds iron’ is hot.
Any Final Thoughts?
There’s no way that the Washington Commanders surprise anyone in 2025, certainly not off the success of last season. Admittedly, a switch to see them favored more often than not in NFL game odds, but whether the team has an encore is debatable. What’s not in question is the value of wide receiver Terry McLaurin.
- Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com
