The Washington Commanders need a pass-catching tight end in 2026. Zach Ertz is coming off a torn ACL in December, is a free agent and will be 36 next season. While Ertz would reportedly like to play, it appears the Commanders are set to move on in their attempt to get “younger and faster.”

The Commanders have three returning tight ends next season: Ben Sinnott, John Bates and Colson Yankoff. Sinnott, a former second-round pick, improved in 2025, but has yet to show that Washington should count on him as the primary receiving option at tight end. In new offensive coordinator David Blough’s offense, Sinnott could play a hybrid role, lining up at multiple spots. Bates has a primary role as one of the NFL’s premier blocking tight ends, while Yankoff is a standout on special teams.

Advertisement

We’ve debated Washington landing some big-name options, such as T.J. Hockenson (if he’s cut), David Njoku, and Kyle Pitts. We’ve also debated the possibility of the Commanders signing Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely, who is only 25.

Fortunately for the Commanders, they’ll have multiple options. One of those options is a local product. Chig Okonkwo played at the University of Maryland and was a fourth-round pick of the Tennessee Titans in the 2022 NFL Draft. In four seasons with the Titans, Okonkwo played in 68 games, catching 194 passes for 2,017 yards and eight touchdowns. His best season came in 2025, when Okonkwo had 56 receptions for 560 yards and two touchdowns. He did this in a part-time role.

Okonkwo is 6-foot-3, 240 pounds and ran a 4.52-second 40-yard dash coming out of Maryland. He would be the perfect complement to Bates and Sinnott. And, unlike some of the aforementioned names, he may not cost as much. Spotrac has Okonkwo’s valuation at $8 million per season, with a three-year contract worth $23.9 million.

While fans look at bigger names, such as Pitts, Okonkwo could make much more sense for the Commanders.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Titans’ Chig Okonkwo could be free-agent target