The Tennessee Titans were not expected to bring free-agent tight end Chig Okonkwo back this offseason. Even though he was arguably their most well-known player on an expiring contract, the Titans had already signaled their intentions. They signed tight end Daniel Bellinger to a lucrative contract, paving the way for Okonkwo's departure.
Okonkwo intends to sign with the Washington Commanders, the NFL Network reported on Wednesday. He'll reunite with Treylon Burks as a new weapon for rising quarterback Jayden Daniels. Okonkwo should be a productive member of the Commanders' passing offense.
Terms of the contract were released. It's a three-year, $30 million agreement for Okonkwo with the Commanders. That is a fairly team-friendly contract for the Commanders, and proves the Titans simply didn't want Okonkwo back.
Former Titans TE Chig Okonkwo signs with Commanders
The Titans gave Bellinger $8 million per season despite him never registering 300 receiving yards in a single campaign. Okonkwo gets $10 million annually from Washington after accumulating four straight seasons with 450-plus yards. The Titans simply wanted a different skill set at tight end.
Bellinger is considered a dual-threat player who can successfully function as an in-line blocking tight end. Sophomore Gunnar Helm is expected to take over the Titans' primary pass-catching role at tight end. New offensive coordinator Brian Daboll is reshaping the offense.
Okonkwo was among the worst blocking tight ends in the league. He's undersized for that role, preferring to operate as a pass-catching weapon in space. The Titans diversified the position via the arrival of Bellinger, who previously played for Daboll.
Okonkwo's contract with the Commanders is reasonable. The Titans barely gave Bellinger less money annually despite the gap in passing-down production because they placed value on his versatile blocking abilities. The Titans were willing to lose Okonkwo for very little difference in wages.