Safety Nick Cross and tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo, two teammates at the University of Maryland, have signed with the Washington Commanders
A pair of former teammates from the University of Maryland are now headed to the Washington Commanders.
The Washington Commanders have reportedly agreed to terms with former Tennessee Titans tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo and former Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross. Okonkwo has agreed to a three year deal worth up to $30 million, while Cross joins on a two-year deal worth $14 million.
As for Okonkwo, the Georgia native and University of Maryland product now returns to the DMV.
A former three-star out of Hillgrove Academy (GA), Okonkwo committed to Maryland as a dynamic receiving threat expected to add to the top of the room. After splitting time with former Seattle tight end Tyler Mabry in his first season as he posted three rushing touchdowns, Okonkwo then added 19 catches for 201 yards and a pair of touchdowns in 2019. He then missed the COVID-filled 2020 season after being diagnosed with myocarditis, but he made the full return he was expected to after posting 52 catches for 447 yards and five touchdowns, becoming a dynamic piece in the passing game and a fan favorite in College Park.
That helped elevate the 6-foot-3 athlete into an NFL Draft prospect after becoming a fourth round pick in 2022, materializing into a weapon for the Titans. Okonkwo finished with 450 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 32 catches as a rookie before recording at least 50 receptions in each of his last three seasons and breaking 500 receiving yards in two of the three.
Okonkwo was also named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2022
Over four seasons with Tennessee, Okonkwo posted 194 catches for 2,017 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
Now in DC, Okonkwo adds the receiving dynamic that has been missing in the unit.
Okonkwo now joins John Bates and Ben Sinnott in the 2026 room where the Titans standout is expected to step into a feature role in the passing attack.
As for Cross, the downhill safety proved himself among the best tacklers at his position in 2025 after leading all safeties in tackles for the bulk of the regular season.
Also a DeMatha grad and Bowie, MD native, Cross joins the organization after posting consecutive 100 tackle seasons, first 146 tackles in 2024 then 120 tackles in 2025, while registering five interceptions over the last three seasons. The soft-spoken safety spent all four seasons in Indianapolis after becoming a third round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, now arriving back home with the chance to provide a major upgrade to the top of the safety room.