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The Washington Commanders knew they were in for a battle at tight end during free agency. Zach Ertz is on his way out, aging, and currently recovering from a torn ACL, and the Commanders' remaining tight ends (Ben Sinnott and John Bates) aren't receiving threats. Sinnott is more capable than Bates when it comes to catching passes, but neither is one who typically lines up to catch the ball — at least not yet.
The problem the Commanders faced was narrowing down which tight end to add because there were a ton of impending free agents. After a few big names came off the board (Isaiah Likely, Cade Otton, etc.), the Commanders elected to lure Tennessee Titans' tight end Chig Okonkwo back to the DMV.
Here are five things to know about the Commanders' tight end.
Okonkwo attended college at the University of Maryland, a mere hop-skip-and-jump away from where the Commanders play in Landover. His familiarity with the area will make his transition from Nashville that much easier, as he won't have to learn to navigate the area. A three-star recruit out of Powder Springs, Georgia, Okonkwo received offers from Georgia Tech and Wisconsin before ultimately deciding to become a Terrapin.
The Titans drafted Okonkwo in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but he joined the team during a tumultuous time. Since being drafted, Okonkwo has played for three different head coaches and two different general managers, all of whom had different ideas of how a tight end should be used. This resulted in low usage, which somehow did not lead to reduced production. In Tennessee, Chig recorded 194 receptions for 2,017 yards and eight touchdowns over four seasons. He had his best season in 2025, with 56 receptions for 560 yards and two touchdowns.
If you've ever watched tape of Chig, you already know he's a speed mismatch at tight end. That's because he wasn't viewed as a traditional tight end prior to college and was trained and developed like a wide receiver or hybrid athlete. He focused heavily on speed work, on-field movement, and agility drills. Once his coaches realized his frame could hold more weight, he bulked up and slid right into the tight end position. This is why he runs fluidly and isn't stiff, it's why he can change direction with seeming ease, and it's why he's more dangerous after the catch than most tight ends.
Because he wasn't developed as a trench player first, Okonkwo isn't a strong blocker. He ranks near the bottom of all tight ends in run blocking, which may be why Tennessee didn't use him more often. But the Commanders have Ben Sinnott and John Bates for that, while Okonkwo's value is as a dynamic pass-catcher with a speed mismatch who can bail out Jayden Daniels in times of need.
Aside from being a receiving tight end who will be a security blanket for Jayden Daniels, Okonkwo gives the Commanders' offense flexibility. While he's the catching tight end, Ben Sinnott is a versatile piece, and John Bates is a blocking tight end. This allows the Commanders to use multiple-tight end schemes and create confusion for opposing defenses. On top of that, Okonkwo can line up as an inline tight end, a slot receiver, a wing/halfback, or motion across formation. In college, he was known for lining up all over the formation, giving new offensive coordinator David Blough extra freedom in designing plays.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: 5 things to know about TE Chigoziem Okonkwo
Continue reading...
The problem the Commanders faced was narrowing down which tight end to add because there were a ton of impending free agents. After a few big names came off the board (Isaiah Likely, Cade Otton, etc.), the Commanders elected to lure Tennessee Titans' tight end Chig Okonkwo back to the DMV.
Here are five things to know about the Commanders' tight end.
East Coast familiarity
Okonkwo attended college at the University of Maryland, a mere hop-skip-and-jump away from where the Commanders play in Landover. His familiarity with the area will make his transition from Nashville that much easier, as he won't have to learn to navigate the area. A three-star recruit out of Powder Springs, Georgia, Okonkwo received offers from Georgia Tech and Wisconsin before ultimately deciding to become a Terrapin.
Underutilization in Tennessee
The Titans drafted Okonkwo in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but he joined the team during a tumultuous time. Since being drafted, Okonkwo has played for three different head coaches and two different general managers, all of whom had different ideas of how a tight end should be used. This resulted in low usage, which somehow did not lead to reduced production. In Tennessee, Chig recorded 194 receptions for 2,017 yards and eight touchdowns over four seasons. He had his best season in 2025, with 56 receptions for 560 yards and two touchdowns.
Originally developed as a wide receiver
If you've ever watched tape of Chig, you already know he's a speed mismatch at tight end. That's because he wasn't viewed as a traditional tight end prior to college and was trained and developed like a wide receiver or hybrid athlete. He focused heavily on speed work, on-field movement, and agility drills. Once his coaches realized his frame could hold more weight, he bulked up and slid right into the tight end position. This is why he runs fluidly and isn't stiff, it's why he can change direction with seeming ease, and it's why he's more dangerous after the catch than most tight ends.
Don't rely on him for blocking
Because he wasn't developed as a trench player first, Okonkwo isn't a strong blocker. He ranks near the bottom of all tight ends in run blocking, which may be why Tennessee didn't use him more often. But the Commanders have Ben Sinnott and John Bates for that, while Okonkwo's value is as a dynamic pass-catcher with a speed mismatch who can bail out Jayden Daniels in times of need.
What he does for Washington
Aside from being a receiving tight end who will be a security blanket for Jayden Daniels, Okonkwo gives the Commanders' offense flexibility. While he's the catching tight end, Ben Sinnott is a versatile piece, and John Bates is a blocking tight end. This allows the Commanders to use multiple-tight end schemes and create confusion for opposing defenses. On top of that, Okonkwo can line up as an inline tight end, a slot receiver, a wing/halfback, or motion across formation. In college, he was known for lining up all over the formation, giving new offensive coordinator David Blough extra freedom in designing plays.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: 5 things to know about TE Chigoziem Okonkwo
Continue reading...
