Chig Okonkwo

Okonkwo is entering unrestricted free agency in 2026 with his contract expired. The Titans have not committed to re-signing him and are exploring alternatives, creating significant uncertainty about his team and role.

Rookie Gunnar Helm emerged as a pass-catching threat in 2025, and Okonkwo lost snaps to him throughout the season. Together the two tight ends consumed 31% of Cam Ward's receptions, limiting individual upside.

Despite 56 receptions and 560 yards in 2025 (career highs), Okonkwo only averaged 10.0 yards per reception and scored 2 TDs. Production remains pedestrian for a TE in Tier 8, suggesting limited explosive upside even with increased volume.

The Titans went 3-14 in 2025 with Cam Ward injured mid-season and replaced by Brandon Allen. Even with new coaching (Saleh/Daboll), offensive improvement is uncertain and may limit target volume for tight ends.

Target share fell to 15% in Week 18 after peaking at 30% in W16, ending the 2025 Titans season on a downward trajectory. While the move to Washington resets context, consistency of usage remains an open question heading into a new scheme.

Okonkwo never surpassed a 70% route rate during his entire Titans tenure and ranked last among 87 qualifying TEs in run-blocking grade in 2025. Washington is buying the receiver, not a complete TE, and a part-time route tree caps his absolute ceiling.

OC David Blough has specifically outlined a featured role for Okonkwo in space, and Okonkwo himself stated he expects the league to see his full ability for the first time. Tennessee's offense suppressed his usage; Washington's scheme actively designs around his skill set.

Okonkwo departs Cam Ward/Tennessee for Jayden Daniels in Washington — one of the NFL's best young QBs who targeted his TE 71 times in 2025 and 88 times in 2024. This is among the most impactful context upgrades available to a dynasty TE in the 2026 offseason.

Washington's depth chart places Okonkwo unambiguously at TE1 above John Bates, Ben Sinnott, and Colson Yankoff with no legitimate competition. He directly inherits Zach Ertz's vacated 71-88 annual target share from Daniels.

Ben Sinnott is reportedly on the roster bubble and does not appear to be in Washington's long-term plans; reports indicate he faces a third straight season as a pure blocker or risks being cut. Okonkwo enters as the unambiguous TE1 with no meaningful pass-catching competition.

Signed a 3-year ~$27-30M deal to replace Zach Ertz as the clear starting TE; John Bates and Ben Sinnott (1570 value) are complementary pieces, not threats to his snaps.

Okonkwo ranked 2nd among TEs in YAC per reception and missed tackles forced in 2025, and posted the 4th-most fantasy points among all TEs during the NFL playoff weeks. His ceiling in a scheme that targets him in space is substantially above his floor.