The 1 position the Washington Commanders haven’t had to worry about the last 2 seasons was also 1 of the biggest surprises in that stretch — the revitalization of tight end Zach Ertz‘s career in his mid-30s as a favorite target of quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Unfortunately for Ertz, that run came to a brutal end in Week 14 with a gruesome knee injury against the Minnesota Vikings. To their credit, the Commanders didn’t stand on ceremony in the offseason, signing free agent tight end Chig Okonkwo to a 3-year, $27 million contract — something Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay called the NFL’s “Most Underrated Move” of the offseason.
“Chig Okonkwo teased his vast potential during his first four seasons in the NFL, but he was never able to reach his ceiling as part of a Tennessee Titans offense that was largely bereft of talent and creativity,” Kay wrote on Wednesday. “His decision to join the Washington Commanders in free agency didn’t make many waves, but it won’t be long before even the most casual fans notice the impact this fast, athletic tight end can have in the right system … Okonkwo should assume most of the targets Ertz was accounting for while also offering more versatility than his predecessor.”
Commanders Signed ‘Top Tight End Available’
The Commanders needed a playmaker at tight end, so they went out and got 1 with the 6-foot-3, 238-pound Okonkwo.
“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 on March 11. “The Commanders land the top tight end available.”
In 4 seasons with the Titans, Okonkwo had 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.
Okonkwo Called ‘Top Trade Asset’ Before Season
Okonkwo’s time with the Titans was spent 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.
Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine listed Okonkwo as one of Tennessee’s top trade assets before the 2025 season after the Titans went into full-on rebuild after drafting quarterback Cam Ward at No. 1 overall.
Okonkwo was a 4th round pick (No. 143 overall) out of Maryland in the 2022 NFL draft after putting up career highs of 52 receptions for 447 yards and 5 touchdowns as a senior in 2021, then followed that by running the 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds at the NFL scouting combine.
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’ $27 Million Free Agent Signing Called NFL’s ‘Most Underrated Move’