NFL world reacts to Commanders signing tight end Chig Okonkwo
· Yahoo Sports
The Washington Commanders finally signed an offensive player in free agency, agreeing to terms with Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo on Wednesday.
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Okonkwo's contract reportedly runs for three years and is worth up to $30 million. Quarterback Jayden Daniels has his Zach Ertz replacement. Ertz, who has served as Washington's primary receiving option at tight end for the past two seasons, tore his ACL in December and is a free agent.
There's a lot to love about Okonkwo's game. He's a phenomenal athlete at 6-foot-3, 240 pounds. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds when he came out of Maryland in the 2022 NFL Draft. Okonkwo has speed, but it's what he does with the ball in his hands that's most impressive. Okonkwo has some Deebo Samuel to his game after the catch.
While Washington needs to add at least two receivers this offseason, the presence of Okonkwo helps. He can work the middle of the field, much like Ertz did, and he gives you the big-play aspect that Ertz lacked. The Commanders now have three tight ends who will see significant playing time. Ben Sinnott can play a hybrid role, whether it's in the backfield at fullback, the slot, or as an in-line tight end, while John Bates returns as one of the NFL's top blocking tight ends. Each of the three players offers something uniquely different and new offensive coordinator David Blough should have no trouble carving out roles for each.
As we've seen with most of the Commanders' signings this week, the Okonkwo addition earned rave reviews. Here are some of those reactions.
Chig Okonkwo had one of the best TDs of the 2025 NFL season.
β Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) March 11, 2026
The type of juice and long overdue YAC ability heβs bringing to DC. ‡οΈ
pic.twitter.com/kzdn92L68r
Love the landing spot for Chig Okonkwo
β Colin McTamany (@Colin_McT) March 11, 2026
70+ targets, 52+ receptions in each of the last 3 seasons w/ 4 different QBs
Ranked 9th in Yds After the Catch (342)
among TE in 2025
Zach Ertz drew 91 targets in 2024 running 256 routes (56.6%) from slot π₯
New weapon for Jayden Daniels pic.twitter.com/wYM8xOs2Jr
Chig Okonkwo has never caught 60 passes but he's been in some dreadful offenses and has played with sub-standard passers.
β Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) March 12, 2026
Will Levis as a rookie
Cam Ward as a rookie
Ryan Tannehill
Mason Rudolph
You think he's going to be happy to play with 2024 ROY Jayden Daniels? pic.twitter.com/pewtujfxRK
Chig Okonkwo has worked with these QBs in Tennessee:
β Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) March 11, 2026
75 targets from *rookie* Cam Ward
68 targets from Ryan Tannehill
67 targets from *rookie* Will Levis
40 targets from Mason Rudolph
22 targets from 4 others
still undiscovered potential & now works alongside Jayden Daniels https://t.co/1B3MVnRPlZ
The Commanders really went from Zach Ertz to Chig Okonkwo. The speed is insane! π¨pic.twitter.com/oZzOJGIjVe
β Zac (@DCzWall) March 11, 2026
*Whispers
β Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) March 11, 2026
Washington Commanders are having a SLEEPER BUILD free agency
Pass rush help:
-DE Odafe Oweh
-DE K'Lavon Chaisson
Run Defense help:
-DT Tim Settle
Middle LB Youth:
-LB Leo Chenal
Secondary help:
-S Nick Cross
-CB Amik Robertson
Young Athletic TE:
-TE Chig Okonkwo pic.twitter.com/EECK7jFIcK
Jayden Daniels now has a TE1 in Chig Okonkwo π€
β brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) March 11, 2026
(π₯: Halls Highlights [YouTube] ) pic.twitter.com/yXgvFKwSEJ
Commanders land Chig Okonkwo. Love this so much. This is a big time weapon for Jayden Daniels.
β Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) March 11, 2026
π 26 yrs old; 4th-year vet
π Dawg in run game
π Car bests 56 grabs, 560 yds in β25
π Has played in bad QB spots
π Former Md Terp
Huge splash. Changes FA return considerably. pic.twitter.com/h7jD5GvQ8I
Chig is a we missed out on Isiah Likely deal.
β Chad Forbes (@NFLDraftBites) March 11, 2026
Iβd rather pay Chig $9M a year than Likely $13.33M per season. #Redskins#HTTR
#Commanders brought all three of my top targets: Oweh, Chenal, and Chig
β Full Command (@CommandersHtt) March 11, 2026
Where do I pick up my consulting fee? https://t.co/UFHU17FUUe
Adam Peters I am so sorry for doubting you!!!!
β SJM πͺ (@DMVCommanders) March 11, 2026
You are an amazing GM!!!
Nick Cross 24 yo S
Chig Okonkwo 26 yo TE
KβLavon Chaisson 26 yo DE
Leo Chenal 25 yo LB
Odafe Oweh 27 yo DE
Tim Settle 28 yo DT
Amik Robinson 27 yo CB
Peters is cooking!!! #RaiseHail
That kind of speed at 6β3β, 230 pounds makes Chig more than just a receiving threat. https://t.co/Ohkc2UwGT1pic.twitter.com/q7C1Ft6Odu
β Commanders on Roundtable (@WSHRoundtable) March 11, 2026
Commanders land pass catching TE in Chig Okonkwo. 26, 50+ catches last 2 seasons. Played college ball at UMD. Really strong option to help Jayden Daniels, Terry McLaurin and the run game.
β JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) March 11, 2026
Washington commanders new TE Chig Okonkwo is like that. π₯π€#RaiseHailpic.twitter.com/OfDnoDPJvJ
β Chris Bryant (@HogfarmerChris) March 11, 2026
Chig Okonkwo signing a three-year deal with the Commanders is exactly what his dynasty managers needed to see. With Zach Ertz out of the picture, Okonkwo steps right into the primary receiving tight end role for an offense that desperately needs reliable targets. We saw flashes⦠pic.twitter.com/gNz2gBL6WN
β Dynasty Dwarf (@DynastyDwarf) March 11, 2026
Yerrr https://t.co/GD549QHQT6
β Jamual (@LetMualTellit) March 11, 2026
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Reactions to Chig Okonkwo signing