Double Joy, Wide Receiver Terry McLaurin Prepares to Welcome His First Child – And the Name He Plans to Give the Baby Has Touched All of Washington
Double joy is spreading throughout Washington as, according to reliable sources, the Commanders' star wide receiver Terry McLaurin has just received news that his wife, Janelle McLaurin, is pregnant with their first child right before the matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles. That timing made the Commanders' locker room light up a bit brighter, because it arrived exactly when McLaurin is maturing strongly and becoming the new hope in Washington.
McLaurin and Janelle's love story began during their college days, where they met at a sports event and quickly became each other's emotional support through every season. The two stayed bonded throughout the time McLaurin entered the NFL, facing the enormous pressures of early life. From simple love, they progressed to a warm wedding in early 2025, marking a brilliant new chapter.
Terry McLaurin and his wife Janelle share the joy of their wedding and make a huge gesture of generosity | Marca
The joy becomes even more special as the couple is said to have thought about the baby's name, and this choice has stirred up Commanders Nation. According to close sources, if it's a boy, McLaurin wants to name him related to “Capitol,” implying Washington, D.C.’s iconic Capitol Hill, the heart of his home city. And if it’s a girl, Janelle really likes the name “Liberty,” carrying the meaning of freedom and strength. Both names are making fans excited because they clearly bear the Commanders' imprint.
In the most recent press conference, Terry McLaurin couldn't hide his emotions when mentioning the first child about to be born. A moment that made all the reporters pause in silence for a few seconds. “I’ve dreamed about this day for a long time. And it’s truly special that it comes right when I’m fighting for this jersey. The Commanders gave me the first chance in life, and I want my child’s name to carry a part of this city’s spirit. The spirit that changed my life.” That sharing immediately spread throughout Commanders Nation.
As the Commanders step into their Week 12 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, the story about the McLaurin family becomes a huge source of energy for the entire team. Washington fans are not only following every play of McLaurin’s, but also following a new, deeply meaningful journey unfolding in his life. And whether the baby will be a boy or a girl, the name that Terry and Janelle choose will surely carry a part of the Commanders' soul, making Washington feel extended by one more generation of love.
Lions Blockbuster Trade Proposal Nets $160 Million Edge-Rusher
Detroit struggled to rush the passer following an injury to Aidan Hutchinson last year, and the losses of Za’Darius Smith to free agency and eventually retirement, as well as Marcus Davenport to injury in Week 2, positioned the Lions to struggle in that crucial defensive category once again in 2025.
That hasn’t proven the case for multiple reasons — some unexpected, others surprising — but the Detroit may not be able to count on the same kind of production from unlikely sources next season. As such, Alex Kay of Bleacher Report wrote a trade proposal on Tuesday, November 18 that would flip first-round picks in 2026 and 2027, a second-round pick in 2026, a third-round pick in 2027 and a fourth-round pick in 2026 to the Cleveland Browns in return for superstar pass-rusher Myles Garrett.
Picking up a player like Garrett would give Detroit the firepower it needs on the defensive side of the ball to become a heavy Super Bowl favorite.
Detroit already has one of the most ferocious pass-rushing groups in the NFL, a unit that has racked up 31 sacks on the year and has limited opposing signal-callers to a mere 192.1 yards per game. While these are great marks, they would almost certainly improve to league-leading numbers with Garrett lining up across from Hutchinson.
Myles Garrett, Aidan Hutchinson Would Be NFL’s Top Pass-Rush Duo
GettyDefensive end Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns.
Garrett recently inked a four-year extension worth $160 million that keeps him under contract through his age-35 season in 2030. A move by the Lions to acquire Garrett next spring would pair him alongside Hutchinson, who recently inked a a four-year extension worth $180 million that also keeps him under contract through 2030.
And while that is an enormous amount of money to spend on the pass rush, it would also guarantee Detroit arguably the best edge duo in the league for several years to come. Garrett is leading the league in both tackles for loss with 22 and sacks with 15 through Week 11. He has tallied 117.5 sacks over the course of his nine-year career.
Hutchinson was on pace to snap the all-time single-season sack record with 7.5 through five games before breaking his leg in Week 5 of 2024. He has 7.5 sacks through 10 contests this year, but leads the NFL with four forced fumbles.
Lions May Not Be Able to Rely on Similar Sack Production From LB, DE2 Spots Next Season
GettyDetroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell.
Hutchinson leads the Detroit defense in sacks this season, though career reserve defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad is close behind him with six sacks. Linebackers Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes have four sacks apiece.
Muhammad is having a career year and is in the final season of his current contract, while sack numbers and pressures from the LB position come with risk when they don’t get home.
Detroit has been a serious Super Bowl contender in each of the last two seasons and is positioned to make another playoff appearance this year, despite taking a step back overall record-wise to this point.
The Lions can develop a strong defensive identity by trading for a player like Garrett, and going all-in makes sense if the team wants to extend what has already been a three-year Super Bowl window — which is longer than most organizations can muster in one stretch.
Lions 'Dancing Bear' Nose Tackle Enjoys Playing Defensive End
Detroit Lions defensive tackle Alim McNeill was still able to stay on the field, despite rookie Tyleik Williams playing 36 defensive snaps against the Philadelphia Eagles.
McNeill had the opportunity to play defensive end, a position he enjoyed due to being able to see the game from a totally different perspective.
"Just the space, being able to see what that space is like. Getting to see guys like Hutch, Dav (Marcus Davenport) out there, you just kind of wonder what it's like out there in that space. I got to see it for myself. You got to see a couple of things," said McNeill. "We learned a lot of different things out there, learned the game of football a little differently. Because I've been so here, like with the tackle, guard, center, that I can't really see outside of me. So, being able to see it from that perspective, watch how plays unfold and stuff, when it's all inside of me, it's a lot different."
Would McNeill like to make the move permanent?
"I don't think I could do that. I think I'm locked in at 3-tech. I probably wouldn't want to. To play big end, I'm not gonna lose any more weight anyway. I gotta play a lot of 4-I stuff, so it's cool to be out there, just to see the game more differently. Definitely more space."
Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard indicated he is grateful the defense is chalk full of talented, hard-working players that afford him the opportunity to put the best players out on the field and to attack different opponents in a myriad of ways.
“I believed in his first, second year, we called him a dancing bear. He’s light on his feet, he’s explosive. His first steps, just as fast as our defensive end room. Yeah, I said it. It’s just as fast," said Sheppard. "So, when you see a player like that, again, not trying to force anybody on the field. But if there is a why and a legit reason behind it, we’ll make it happen. The whole plan is to put your best 11 out there.
"I’m afforded the opportunity to coach at an organization that believes in that as well. They don’t care. Dan (Campbell) has never said one time, ‘Why is this guy, why didn’t that guy play?’ He has full faith, trust, and belief that we’re going to put these players in the best position possible.”
