Commanders Sign Titans TE Chig Okonkwo, Touted as 'Total Opposite' of Zach Ertz

The young, speedy tight end is expected to provide a dynamic receiving threat for Washington's offense.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:50am

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting a football player in mid-stride, with the ball and limbs deconstructed into sharp, overlapping planes of navy, burgundy, and gold, capturing the explosive athleticism of the Commanders' new tight end.A cubist interpretation of the Commanders' new dynamic tight end Chig Okonkwo breaking free for a big gain.Kansas City Today

The Washington Commanders have signed former Tennessee Titans tight end Chigoziem 'Chig' Okonkwo in free agency, with the team's general manager noting a focus on getting younger and faster this offseason. Okonkwo is described as the 'total opposite' of veteran Zach Ertz, who the Commanders parted ways with, with the ability to rack up yards after the catch and break tackles with his speed and power.

Why it matters

The Commanders are looking to upgrade their tight end position with a more dynamic receiving threat to complement their offense. Okonkwo's skill set as a YAC specialist provides a different dimension compared to the possession-style play of Ertz, potentially giving the team's passing game a boost.

The details

Okonkwo, a 2022 fourth-round pick by the Titans, emerged as a playmaker in 2025 with 342 yards after the catch, ranking him among the top 10 tight ends in that category. His ability to turn short passes into big gains by breaking tackles and using his speed is seen as a major asset that the Commanders can utilize, in contrast to the more traditional tight end role filled by the veteran Ertz.

  • Okonkwo was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in 2022.
  • In 2025, Okonkwo had a breakout season with the Titans, ranking top 10 among tight ends in yards after the catch.
  • The Commanders signed Okonkwo in free agency in 2026 as they looked to get younger and faster at the tight end position.

The players

Chigoziem 'Chig' Okonkwo

A young, dynamic tight end who was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in 2022 and is known for his ability to rack up yards after the catch and break tackles with his speed and power.

Zach Ertz

A veteran tight end who previously played for the Commanders but is now a free agent, known more for his possession-style play compared to Okonkwo's receiving prowess.

Adam Peters

The general manager of the Washington Commanders, who stated the team's focus this offseason was to get younger and faster.

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What they’re saying

“Well, I'll tell you this, he's the total opposite of Zach Ertz in that he's gonna get you YAC. That's one of his biggest specialties. He's a guy, you know how they have the angry scepter metaphor? He has a series of angry runs, man. As far as the YAC's concerned, the way he's able to catch the ball and turn into a running back instantly is something that stands out. He'll run through tackles, and, believe it or not, at his size, he still has the speed to pull away.”

— Turron Davenport, ESPN Titans Insider

What’s next

The Commanders will look to integrate Okonkwo into their offense and see if he can provide a dynamic receiving threat to complement their passing game in the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The Commanders' signing of Chig Okonkwo represents a shift in their tight end philosophy, moving away from the possession-style play of Zach Ertz to a more explosive, YAC-focused weapon. This move aligns with the team's goal of getting younger and faster, and could provide a significant boost to their passing attack if Okonkwo can live up to his potential.