The Commanders are heading into training camp with plenty still to sort out, but one early offseason worry is already looking less pressing: tight end.
That was a spot fans wanted addressed fast after Zach Ertz’s two seasons in Washington. Ertz gave the team production and leadership, but age was catching up, and the torn ACL he suffered against the Minnesota Vikings effectively shut the door on any realistic return. With offensive coordinator David Blough expected to lean heavily on the position, the Commanders had to find a new answer.
General manager Adam Peters did exactly that, bringing in Chig Okonkwo on a three-year, $27 million deal in free agency. Okonkwo doesn’t bring Ertz’s resume, but he does bring youth, burst, and a skill set that fits Blough’s offense. His strong showing during Washington’s offseason work only added to the optimism around what could be the best opportunity of his career.
And he’s not the only tight end turning heads.
John Bates has long been known for his blocking, but Blough wants more from him than that. Ben Sinnott, the 2024 second-round pick who has been something of an afterthought for two years, is being deployed in different ways to tap into his physical tools.
Even Colson Yankoff has shown more as a receiver. Put it all together, and the group is trending in the right direction.
It’s still early, of course. Training camp and the preseason will reveal more about what Blough has in store, even if he keeps the full playbook under wraps. But it would be a surprise if the tight ends didn’t become a meaningful part of the offense.
That matters for a Commanders team that needs a real bounce-back season. Washington can’t afford another stretch of uneven play, and everyone in the building knows the margin for error is thin.
Quinn took a big swing by hiring Blough, who has no NFL play-calling experience. Still, if the tight ends keep flashing and quarterback Jayden Daniels stays healthy, this could be the kind of development that helps the offense find its footing.
For now, the early signs are encouraging. The Commanders are hoping they mean something bigger is coming.
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General manager Adam Peters has not confirmed any specific target, and the picture remains fluid for now. Washington has been linked to several receivers, but the more interesting question is whether the front office is chasing a true field-stretcher rather than one of the more familiar hot-stove options, especially with the team still sorting out how it wants that room to look once camp opens. [Read more 🡒]