How will the Washington Commanders replace tight end Zach Ertz?
Ertz will be 36 in November, and he went down with a season-ending torn ACL in his right knee during a Week 14 game against the Minnesota Vikings. The injury occurred on December 7, 2025, prematurely ending his 13th NFL season.
Commanders GM Adam Peters, knowing how dependable Ertz had been as a receiver, determined to pursue and sign TE Chig Okonkwo, a free agent who had played his first four seasons in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans. The former Maryland Terrapin is much younger, turning 27 in September. Okonkwo caught 56 passes last season for 560 yards (10.0) for eight touchdowns.
But don’t kid yourself into thinking Ertz was no longer effective as a receiver. Though Ertz was not a very good blocker on running plays, Ertz did know how to read a zone defense, find, and sit down in the open areas of zone coverage. Missing four games, Ertz still managed to be on the receiving end of 50 receptions for 504 receiving yards (10.1) and four touchdowns.
Say hello to Chig Okonkwo.
I’m excited about this dude in the Commanders offense. pic.twitter.com/exACCU0bhg
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) May 27, 2026
Ertz provided a little more size and more experience at finding openings in the zone. Okonkwo will provide more quickness and, therefore, possibly more yards after the catch. Ertz was also quite the leader. Remember how the very week after his injury, Ertz still came in and watched film with then-second-year tight end Ben Sinnott, attempting to help prepare Sinnott for the increased playing time he was going to receive due to Ertz’s absence.
Okonkwo played last season with rookie quarterback Cam Ward. Don’t you think he is eagerly anticipating having Jayden Daniels as his quarterback in 2026? With Sinnott and John Bates also available, it is very possible the Commanders could be lining up in two-tight end formations.
Of course, die-hard Redskins fans recall a two-tight-end offense brought to town by Joe Gibbs. He was pretty successful with it, don’t you think?
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: TE Chig Okonkwo was signed to replace Zach Ertz