Which Commanders player has the most to prove in 2026?

Kevin Sheehan asked his listening audience a good question on Wednesday.

Sheehan's show on The Team 980 (M-F, 10 AM-1 PM) produced a couple of segments on Wednesday that were certainly thought-provoking. One of the two, Sheehan asked his listeners, "Which one of the returning Commanders has the most to prove in 2026?" At one point, the question was asked this way: "Out of all of the returning players on the Washington Commanders, which ones are under the most pressure to have a bounce-back season in 2026?" Slightly different, but you understand Sheehan's point of emphasis.

Here is a brief summary of Sheehan's short list or you can watch the entire segment here.

• Terry McLaurin, WR "Terry was fine last year, when he played. But I think he's got a lot to prove, because the team thought there was risk in giving him a massive deal. Which they decided not to give him, because of his age. He said, I am a young 30 years old because I didn't play a lot before getting to the NFL. ...You know after a season like last year, this guy is going to be in the best shape of his career."
• Daron Payne, DT: "I tell you what, Daron Payne better ball out this year. Because, if not, there is not going to be a big market for him. They (Commanders) needed him to a certain degree, and they also probably couldn't get much for him, uh, if anything. And there's a chance if he really plays well, they could get a really solid compensatory pick, in the 2027 NFL Draft." (Actually, Sheehan is not correct here. Yes, the Commanders would receive a compensatory pick, but those picks are not rewarded until the following NFL Draft after the player signs. So Washington would receive the pick in the 2028 NFL Draft.)