Ben Sinnott: Everything you need to know

Sinnott has a chance to earn a larger role in 2026, but free-agent signing Chig Okonkwo figures to replace Zach Ertz (knee) as Washington's top pass-catching tight end, according to Bryan Manning of Commanders Wire. With Kliff Kingsbury calling plays the past two seasons, Sinnott drew just 18 targets in 33 regular-season games (652 snaps). New offensive coordinator David Blough may have a somewhat larger role in mind, but the recent Okonkwo signing (three years, $30 million) hints at Sinnott and John Bates mostly blocking again. Bates is a better blocker, and he signed an extension last March, putting Sinnott at risk of a third straight season as merely the No. 3 TE in Washington. Sinnott may even enter training camp on the roster bubble, albeit with age (24 in June), draft capital (53rd overall in 2024) and athleticism (4.68 40) working in his favor.

Sinnott caught both of his targets for three yards in Sunday's 24-17 win over Philadelphia. The 2024 second-round pick finishes his second NFL season with a 11-114-1 receiving line on 13 targets. Sinnott played more than 50 percent of offensive snaps in each of the final four games, catching seven of nine targets for 73 yards during that stretch. The Commanders likely are in need of a new starting tight end with Zach Ertz recovering from an ACL tear and scheduled for free agency, but Sinnott hasn't shown much of anything to suggest he can be that player. There's still late-breakout argument, depending on Washington's offseason moves in the coming months.

Sinnott secured three of four targets for 29 yards during Thursday's 30-23 loss to Dallas. Sinnott logged his first game of the season with more than a single grab during Washington's loss on Christmas Day, though he recorded a higher yardage total Week 15 versus the Giants due to a 36-yard downfield catch. The second-year pro played 61 percent of offensive snaps versus the Cowboys. Sinnott will close out the year as Washington's starting tight end during the team's regular-season finale on the road against Philadelphia in Week 18.