Washington’s newly signed tight end, Chig Okonkwo, who spent 4 seasons with the Titans after they selected him in the 4th round of the 2022 draft, met with the DMV media on Thursday at Commanders headquarters after signing his contract.
Okonkwo started the media session by answering a question about playing with Jayden Daniels; he said he was “super excited” to play with guy like Washington’s young star QB “with
his running ability and ability to open up the field.”
Chig went on to say that his own role in Washington will essentially to act as a play-maker who catches passes, breaks tackles and adds yards after the catch, adding, “That’s why I was brought here.”
It sounds like he’s already spent time with David Blough; Chig said he’d shown him clips of the offense in Detroit and talked about how Okonkwo will fit into it. He said he’s excited to use his speed and quickness, and “actually run real routes, and…help the quarterback by being in the right place at the right time and have good hands for him.”
“The thing about me is the YAC,” Chig said. “Y’all know about the YAC. I can get the ball anywhere on the field and make something happen.” Sounds like a big change from Zach Ertz, who tended to find a way to end the play once the catch was secured.
Asked which part of his game is underrated, Okonkwo stressed that he can run any route on the route tree if given the opportunity. He replied to a question about his blocking by apparently scoffing at PFF grading, using the word “narrative” and then saying that he’s “tough” and he’ll “put [his] face on anybody”.
He was asked about the fact that he and his old college teammate, safety Nick Cross, were signed by Washington on the same day. Chig said that “everyone keeps asking us about that”, and added that the two had not spoken about it in advance. He reminded the assembled reporters that the two of them had been playing in the same division for the past 4 seasons, but said that it will be “very cool” to be teammates again.
He was also asked about becoming teammates for the 2nd time in the NFL with WR Treylon Burks. Chig said that he is “super close” with Burks, describing Trey as one of his best friends, saying that he had called him right away and that they were both “super hyped”. Chig promises that Trey Burks “can play football”, that he is a “dawg”. Chig said that Butks has been sidetracked by injuries in the past, but that he is a “beast” who will demonstrate all that for Washington fans this season.
Asked if Okonkwo has family in the area, he clarified that he’s “from here” because he went to school in the area, but that he grew up in Georgia, so his family is not in the DMV area. He also said he hadn’t yet had a chance to touch base with his “folks” at the University of Maryland, where he played his college ball, but smiled and said he was sure that would happen soon.
Asked what he wants his teammates to know about him, Chig lit up and said, “Hey man, we’re gonna be having a good time. I’m gonna be smiling every day that I’m here. You won’t see me a day that I’m not smiling,” adding that he’s heard that the locker room here is just like that so he is, again, “super excited” to be around like-minded people. Sounds like he will get along just fine with Jay Daniels.
Okonkwo said he’s looking for stability and expects to find it in Washington, which he’s heard has a culture that’s always positive and consistent.
