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Tight end Chig Okonkwo of the Tennessee Titans.
The Washington Commanders have had a splashy offseason, particularly in free agency, but one addition that has gotten less fanfare than some others might actually provide the team with the best value.
Washington made most of its noise on defense, particularly at pass-rusher, inking Odafe Oweh to a $96 million deal and also signing K’Lavon Chaisson and Charles Omenihu to enhance the rush off the edge. But Alex Kay of Bleacher Report is more focused on offense, particularly at tight end, where the Commanders added Chig Okonkwo on a three-year deal worth $27 million.
“While the Okonkwo signing is currently flying under the radar, it won’t be long before he’s putting up needle-moving statistics,” Kay wrote. “The four-year veteran posted solid but unspectacular numbers—including a 56/560/2 line on 79 targets this past season—in the Music City, but he should easily eclipse those middling marks now that he’s in a more prolific offense.”
Chig Okonkwo Could Become Top 2-3 Target for Commanders QB Jayden Daniels by Week 1
Okonkwo will turn 27 years old just as the regular season begins in early September and could prove a top target for third-year quarterback Jayden Daniels from Week 1.
Terry McLaurin is the one prominent wide receiver on the roster as of early May, while the team remains discussed frequently as a candidate for veteran players like Brandon Aiyuk and Stefon Diggs to potentially join the fold. The Commanders selected wideout Antonio Williams out of Clemson in Round 3 of the most recent NFL draft as well.
Okonkwo has averaged 68 receptions, 504 receiving yards and two TDs annually across four seasons with the Tennessee Titans. He has never missed a game since becoming a professional and has 42 starts to his credit.
Commanders New OC David Blough Expected to Utilize Chig Okonkwo’s Skill Set in Unique Ways
GettyFormer Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo.
Kay suggested that Okonkwo could achieve “star” status alongside Daniels based on how strong of a season Zach Ertz produced catching passes from Daniels in 2024.
“Offensive coordinator David Blough will be able to get creative with Okonkwo’s unique skillset,” Kay continued. “The Titans deployed Okonkwo as a move tight end in recent seasons to great effect and he’ll likely continue to line up across the formation for the Commanders.”
John Keim of ESPN also noted in March Okonkwo’s skill set as adding something to the Commanders corps of pass-catchers that the offense lacked last season.
It’s a necessary piece as Okonkwo provides an ability the Commanders’ tight end room lacks — a proven ‘move’ tight end who can win outside or in the slot in particular. He’s also a solid blocker, so that will help when the Commanders use two tight end looks and run play-action.
Okonkwo runs well after the catch. He has not been a big red zone target in his career — it’s where they’ll miss Zach Ertz. But he has shown the ability to make plays in space and that will help Daniels and the Washington offense.
Max Dible covers the NFL, NBA and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns. He covered local and statewide news as a reporter for West Hawaii Today and served as news director for BigIslandNow.com and Pacific Media Group's family of Big Island radio stations before joining Heavy. More about Max Dible