The Washington Commanders landed one of the best tight ends in free agency when they signed former Tennessee Titan Chig Okonkwo. Here are five things to know about one of the Commanders' newest offensive weapons.
1. #HeATerp.
This isn't the first time Okonkwo has played in the DMV. The Georgia native has Maryland pride.
Okonkwo, a three-star recruit from Hillgrove High School in Powder Springs, Georgia, who helped his program reach a regional championship during his senior season, spent four seasons in Maryland's program and ended his career as a full-time starter. After missing the 2020 season with myocarditis -- an inflammation of the heart muscle that can be caused by viral infections -- he set out with the goal of being the best tight end in college football. He even pinned the statement on his social media account.
We'll leave that debate up to the analysts, but Okonkwo was clearly a key piece of Maryland's offense in 2021. He ranked second on the team with 52 receptions for 447 yards and led the squad with five touchdowns.
Okonkwo's role slowly increased as the season wore on. He had 20 receptions over the last two games, which were the most by tight end in program history. He had eight receptions for 112 yards and two scores against Michigan State -- the most yards by a tight end in a single game since Vernon Davis in 2005.
Now, after spending four seasons in Tennessee, the former Terp is coming back to the DMV to reignite his career.
Check out the top photos of future Washington Commander Chig Okonkwo.
Miami Dolphins linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (6) blocks Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) during an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Murray)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) warms up before playing against the Las Vegas Raiders in an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jeff Lewis)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) during an NFL football practice Wednesday, May 29, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) catches a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) signs autographs for fans during "Back Together Weekend" at the team's NFL football training camp Saturday, July 26, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) runs in motion during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) runs a route against the Houston Texans during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov 24, 2024 in Houston. The Titans defeated the Texans 32-27. (AP Photo/Maria Lysaker)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) before an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) runs a route during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) walks off the field after an NFL football training camp practice Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) runs to the sidelines during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) runs in motion during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) warms up before an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) dives for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) runs the ball against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) catches a pass and runs against the Las Vegas Raiders in an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jeff Lewis)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo takes part in a drill at the NFL football team's practice facility Wednesday, June 1, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) before an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) during an NFL football training camp practice Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) runs a route during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) spins aaway from Denver Broncos safety Brandon Jones (22) in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) runs a route during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) runs a route during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) catches a pass and runs against the Las Vegas Raiders in an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jeff Lewis)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) is introduced prior to an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) misses a pass as Denver Broncos cornerback Jahdae Barron defends in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) is tackled after a catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) catches a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) makes a reception in front of Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd, right, during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) runs a route during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) lines up for a play during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 7 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo before an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) runs after a catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks (20) grabs Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo, bottom, holds onto a pass as he is brought down by Houston Texans cornerback Myles Bryant (25) during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) blocks during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Scot Tucker)
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) makes a catch against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
2. He gets yards after the catch.
There's a lot to like about Okonkwo's skill set. He was a key piece of the Titans' offense in his first four seasons, catching at least 50 passes from 2023-25 with eight touchdowns in his career. But perhaps the thing that gets fans -- and Okonkwo himself -- the most fired up is what he can do after the catch.
"Y'all know about the YAC," Okonkwo said during his introductory press conference. "I can get the ball anywhere on the field and make something happen."
Okonkwo, who was one of the Titans' top pass-catchers in each of the last four seasons, has also been one of the league's better tight ends at getting yards after the catch. He ranked in the top 15 at his position in three of his four NFL campaigns, getting as high as 11th last season. For reference, that's just two yards fewer than Packers tight end Tucker Kraft and nearly 50 more than Brock Bowers got with the Raiders.
And there's optimism that number will rise in the Commanders' new offense, primarily because of Jayden Daniels. In 2024, when Daniels was fully healthy, he ranked 12th in on target throw percentage at 78.2%. In his four seasons with the Titans, he's never had a quarterback rank higher than 25th. (Ryan Tannehill in 2022)
3. He wants to honor his father's memory.
Okonkwo was raised in Georgia, but that's not where his family is originally from. His father, who passed away when he was 15 years old, was from Nigeria, and he wants to honor them in any way possible, both on and off the field.
"I want to honor his life by continuing to work extremely hard," Okonkwo said of his father. "The first sport my sisters and I played was tennis. My dad used to really push my sisters and I and remind us that we could do whatever we set our mind to."
Okonkwo's father, Charlton, taught him the value of having a good work ethic. Charlton used to walk five miles to school carrying his desk and chair. Okonkwo also considers his dad as his first coach and credits him for fostering his discipline in sports.
And although his father isn't there to watch his games, Okonkwo makes sure to make him a part of his routine and prays that he watches over him.
"I always pay [my father] respect in everything that I do," Okonkwo said. "I always think about him in everything that I do, and I know the things he would want me to do and the things he wouldn't want me to do. That's how I live my life."
4. He brings speed to the position.
But Okonkwo isn't just bringing his yards after the catch to the Commanders' offense. He's also brings a level of speed that the team hasn't had at the position in several years.
Back in 2022, when Okonkwo was participating in the scouting combine, Okonkwo ran a 4.52 in the 40-yard dash, making him the fastest tight end in his class. But Okonkwo's time wasn't just impressive among his peers; since 2013, only 10 tight ends have managed to surpass the time at the combine, and since 2022, it's only been accomplished four times.
Okonkwo is expected to bring a different skill set than what the Commanders have had with Daniels under center. Zach Ertz was beyond his prime, but he was still able to get open and make plays through his knowledge of how to create separation and find soft spots in zone coverage. Not only can Okonkwo run routes at a high level, but he also pairs that with rare speed for the position.
5. He's excited to reinvent himself in Washington.
Okonkwo views his contract with the Commanders as a new opportunity. He likes the role that offensive coordinator David Blough has in mind for him -- a versatile tight end who can get in space and use his skill set to make plays -- and he's excited to be an integral part of Washington's new system.
He even believes the NFL is going to get a look at exactly what he can do for the first time in his professional career.
"I'm going to be a featured guy from the first week," Okonkwo told "Next Man Up" host Bryan Colbert Jr. "I'm excited to finally show exactly what Chig Okonkwo is supposed to look like on a football field for a whole season."
While the Commanders liked all their other options at tight end, they were in need of a legitimate pass-catcher with Ertz no longer on the roster. Most of the NFL was focused on former Baltimore Raven Isaiah Likely, who eventually signed with the New York Giants, but there were some who believed that Okonkwo was at least on par with him and the impact he could bring to an offense.
Okonkwo didn't feel like he was always able to show that in Tennessee for a variety of reasons, but now that he's got a new home, he's ready to blossom into one of the league's best at the position.
"There's just so much more I'm able to do," Okonkwo said.
