LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. – The Washington Commanders announced today that they have signed tight end Chig Okonkwo. Full terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Okonkwo (6-3, 238) is entering his fifth season after being selected by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth-round (143rd overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft. Okonkwo has played in 68 career games and has amassed 194 receptions, 2,017 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns in his career. Following his rookie season in 2022, Okonkwo was selected to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
In 2025, Okonkwo totaled career highs in receptions (56), receiving yards (560), and games started (12). He scored a touchdown in Weeks 15 and 16, which marked the first time in his career that he scored in consecutive games. Okonkwo also recorded multiple receptions in 10 straight games to end the year.
Okonkwo played in all 17 games in 2024, and had 52 receptions, 479 receiving yards and two touchdowns. In Week 12, he set a new career-long with a 70-yard touchdown reception against Houston.
Across his first two seasons (2022-23), Okonkwo tallied 86 receptions, 978 receiving yards and four touchdowns. As a rookie, he led all NFL tight ends with 450 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.
A native of Powder Springs, Georgia, Okonkwo attended Hillgrove High School and played collegiately for four seasons (2018-2021) at the University of Maryland. Okonkwo earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten after the 2021 season and was a member of the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl Watch List.