The Washington Commanders added a major weapon to the offense this offseason with tight end Chig Okonkwo proving himself as a fit on and off the field
Tight ends are normally a quarterback's best friend, and in Washington, it's proven to be exactly that so far this offseason.
Veteran tight end Zack Ertz finished each of the last two seasons ranked second on the team in targets with his average depth of at least seven yards per target during that span was evidence of the big plays available to him in Kliff Kingsbury's offense. Washington knows they have tempo in their back pocket if they opt or need to turn to it during the fall under new coordinator David Blough, but the new system will look much different.
With more shifts, play action and a renewed commitment to the run game, the need to replace Ertz's role as a receiving threat in the offense remained clear with former Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo living up to early expectations as a dynamic piece in the offense with big play potential. It isn't hard to see why.
His 73.7% catch rate in 2025 ranked 11th among tight ends with at least 70 targets, while he tied for fourth at his position in missed tackles forced. Okonkwo's 6.1 average yards after the catch ranked second among NFL tight ends with at least 50 catches in 2025, doing so on 560 receiving yards, 56 catches and 79 targets - all narrowly new career highs.
"You can see him with his speed and everything, give him the ball in space and man, he can make a lot happen," Daniels said of Okonkwo.
Sure, the scheme in 2026 contrasts with what fans are used to, but his combination of athleticism and explosiveness, as Blough calls it, adds another downfield target who can also become a primary target to move the sticks. Rookie Antonio Williams will look to step up where he could be a big piece in determining whether Jayden Daniels does have enough weapons, but it isn't a stretch to point to Okonkwo as the primary likely challenger to Terry McLaurin for overall targets.
Okonkwo prioritized finding a landing spot that would maximize his impact after the Titans were inconsistent offensively during his four seasons, yet it wasn't for a lack of production from the tight end. Okonkwo finished top three in both receiving yards and catches all four seasons, including second in both categories in consecutive seasons, where he looks to build on that in Washington.
Off the field, Okonkwo has integrated himself seamlessly into the locker room as one of two University of Maryland products to ink with the Commanders this offseason.
"He's a very good locker room guy," Daniels said of Okonkwo.
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