An offseason transfer that will have flown below the radar for some, tight end Chig Okonkwo is going to play a bigger role in the offense than some may suppose. After dropping Zach Ertz to a torn ACL near the end of the season, the influence was instantly felt. Having surpassed 450 receiving yards in every of his first 4 seasons in Tennessee, Okonkwo labored with coach Dan Quinn to lay out what his vision looks like in the brand new offensive system.
“To see him in a system as a tight end from play-actions and down-the-field throws, we thought that would be a good mesh for him. It was also what he was looking for, too,” Quinn stated. “So when we showed clips from there and what we were going to do, we intercut them together to paint a clear picture. Anytime a person is a free agent coming here, you want to say, ‘This is how we plan on featuring you here,’ so they have a clear vision.”
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Although Ertz might have introduced a veteran presence to the locker room, it is Okonkwo’s “urgency and competitiveness” that drew Quinn and the front office to him. Listed at 6-foot-3, he is probably not the largest tight finish in the league, however in the few practices the Commanders have already held, the intangible elements that intrigued Washington have already clearly jumped out to the teaching employees.
“I feel like this is the place where I can finally just unleash,” Okonkwo stated on the Command Center podcast with Santana Moss, Logan Paulsen and Fred Smoot. “So far, there’s been so many more opportunities I’ve had to just run different things … and use my true talents and abilities. It’s awesome, man. I can’t wait.”
New offense, new system
Dec 21, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans tight finish Chig Okonkwo (85) runs throughout the first half towards the Kansas City Chiefs at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
In 2025, Washington lined up in 11 personnel greater than 50% of the time. Now with first-year offensive coordinator David Blough calling the photographs, there’s an expectation that Jayden Daniels will further develop as a true passer. Quinn instructed reporters the varieties of routes he hopes to see from Okonkwo.
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“Long play-action passing, over routes, pylon routes, things that are down the field, crossing routes that are catch-and-run to use some of his speed,” Quinn stated.
By placing extra emphasis on Daniels’ throwing ability when utilizing tight ends, the offense ought to have the ability to present totally different formations and incorporate fellow tight ends John Bates and Ben Sinnott into particular performs.
This story was initially revealed by Athlon Sports on Jul 30, 2026, the place it first appeared in the NFL part. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.