The Commanders made a quiet but meaningful adjustment before training camp even got rolling, and it could matter a lot for Chig Okonkwo.
When Washington moved on from tight ends coach Ben Steele, head coach Dan Quinn already had a solution lined up. During his pre-camp media availability, Quinn said Wes Welker will handle the tight ends going forward, even though the assistant title on the staff has not officially changed yet. Welker already filled that role during Washington’s mandatory minicamp after Steele was gone.
For Okonkwo, that’s a significant development.
Welker brings a rare mix of coaching credibility and on-field pedigree. Before getting into the teaching side, he built a standout career as a two-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, thriving in the short and intermediate parts of the field.
Over 12 seasons, he piled up 903 receptions, 9,924 receiving yards and 50 touchdowns. That kind of background carries weight, especially for a player like Okonkwo who is trying to sharpen the details of his route running and separation ability.
Washington sees Okonkwo as more than just a tight end in name only. In offensive coordinator David Blough’s new system, he’s expected to be a real factor in the passing game.
He has the speed, the burst and the kind of run-after-catch juice that can stress a defense. The Commanders believe he can keep climbing with Jayden Daniels at quarterback, and if Welker helps him become more effective at creating space, Okonkwo looks like a strong candidate to break out in 2026.
He won’t be the only player Welker is working with, but the source of the attention is clear. Okonkwo is the priority.
There’s plenty Welker can teach from the slot, and that matters here. Steele was a good coach, but Welker did it on the field at the highest level, and that kind of experience tends to command respect fast. For Okonkwo, the summer is about absorbing as much as he can and turning that investment into production.
Washington didn’t exactly make a small bet on him, either. The Commanders gave Okonkwo a three-year, $27 million contract that includes $16.7 million guaranteed and a $7 million signing bonus. With the uncertainty behind Terry McLaurin in the wide receiver room, Okonkwo could even grow into the No. 2 option if things fall into place.
That’s why this coaching shift matters. On paper, it may look like a subtle staff tweak. In practice, it could be the kind of move that helps unlock a player Washington is counting on.
Okonkwo has the tools. He has the athleticism. And now he has a coach who may be able to help bring it all together.
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General manager Adam Peters has made it clear the team is looking at more than just talent when it evaluates possible additions, saying the process includes everything from locker-room fit to culture. With receiver speculation still swirling around names like Stefon Diggs, the Cracraft signing feels more like a small roster move than a final answer, leaving the bigger question of how aggressive Washington plans to be at the position. [Read more 🡒]