The Washington Commanders were in dire straits at tight end following the 2025 season. Veteran starter Zach Ertz suffered a catastrophic knee injury in Week 14. Second-round pick Ben Sinnott seems like a bust after 2 seasons.
Another tight end, John Bates, is basically getting paid $7 million per year to block, which makes little sense for a team without an elite running back.
The Commanders needed a playmaker, so they went out and got 1 in free agency on Wednesday, agreeing with Chig Okonkwo on a reported 3-year, $30 million contract.
“The Commanders are expected to sign free agent TE Chig Okonkwo, giving him a 3-year deal worth up to $30M,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on his official X account. “The Commanders land the top tight end available.”
In 4 seasons, Okonkwo has career numbers of 194 receptions for 2,017 yards and 8 touchdowns. According to Pro Football Focus, he’s 5th among all NFL tight ends over the last 4 seasons with 39 missed tackles forced.
Chig Okonkwo Called ‘Top Trade Asset’ Before Season
Okonkwo, 6-foot-3 and 238 pounds, spent his first 4 seasons on the Titans playing for increasingly worse teams — and 3 different head coaches. Tennessee went 7-10 in 2022, 6-11 in 2023, and 3-14 in 2024 and 2025.
He was also called one of the NFL’s top trade assets before the 2025 season as the Titans went in looking at a full-on rebuild with 2025 No. 1 overall pick and quarterback Cam Ward.
As a senior at Maryland in 2021, Okonkwo had career highs of 52 receptions for 447 yards and 5 touchdowns.
“Tennessee took Okonkwo in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and thanks to his freakish athleticism, there were heavy expectations for the University of Maryland product,” Sports Illustrated’s Matthew Schmidt wrote in April 2025. ” … Okonkwo is still just 25 years old, so he could also represent a potential trade candidate in the coming months, and he would certainly have some value. Maybe Tennessee is considering making sweeping changes as the (Cam) Ward era begins.”
Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine also listed Okonkwo as one of Tennessee’s top trade assets this offseason.
Putting Up Solid Numbers on Terrible Teams
Okonkwo has been quietly productive and consistent over his first 4 seasons — and incredibly durable. In 4 seasons, Okonkwo has never missed a game — 68 consecutive regular-season games with 42 starts.
In 4 seasons, Okonkwo has 17-game averages of 48 receptions for 504 yards and 2 touchdowns. In 2025, he put up career highs in receptions (56), receiving yards (560), touchdowns (2), and starts (12).
“Washington gets their TE1,” Commanders superfan Jay Daniels MVP wrote on X.
“The Commanders land an athletic tight end who provides a different look from that position,” ESPN’s John Keim wrote on X.
“Commanders land pass catching TE in Chig Okonkwo … 26 (years old), 50+ catches last 2 seasons. Played college ball at UMD. Really strong option to help Jayden Daniels, Terry McLaurin and the run game,” NBC Sports’ JP Finlay wrote on his official X account.
“Commanders land Chig Okonkwo,” 106.7-FM’s Grant Paulsen wrote on X. “Love this so much. This is a big time weapon for Jayden Daniels. Huge splash. Changes FA return considerably.”
“Chigoziem Okonkwo, you are a Commander,” Carolina Commander wrote on X. “He’s back home and provides serious speed in the TE room.”
The type of juice and long overdue YAC ability he’s bringing to DC. ⤵️
Commanders Sign ‘Top Tight End Available’ for $30 Million