The Tennessee Titans have made a notable shift in their tight end lineup, opting not to retain Chig Okonkwo in free agency. Instead, they quickly signed Daniel Bellinger to a three-year, $24 million deal, signaling a new direction for their offense. Okonkwo, meanwhile, found a new home with the Washington Commanders on a similar contract.
Okonkwo has been a reliable target in the passing game for the Titans. Over four seasons, he consistently racked up over 450 receiving yards each year, despite the team’s offensive struggles. However, his development seemed to plateau, particularly in terms of versatility and blocking.
Now with the Commanders, Okonkwo is eager to prove himself. In a recent interview on the "Next Man Up" podcast with Bryan Colbert Jr., Okonkwo shared his excitement about his new role. He expressed enthusiasm about being a key figure in Washington's passing game from the get-go.
"There’s so much more I’m able to do," Okonkwo stated. "I’m thrilled to be a featured guy from Week 1. I can’t wait to show what I can do when I’m getting real targets and running real routes."
While Okonkwo did have opportunities in Tennessee-his 76 targets in 2025 ranked him 15th among tight ends-he believes there’s untapped potential. He turned those targets into 56 receptions for 560 yards and two touchdowns, but his average of 1.33 yards per route run placed him 30th among his peers. This stat highlights his frustration with how he was utilized in Brian Callahan's offense.
Okonkwo is optimistic about his future with the Commanders and quarterback Jayden Daniels. Whether his potential will fully materialize in Washington remains to be seen, but the opportunity is certainly there for him to redefine his career.