Chig Okonkwo

Chigoziem Charlton Okonkwo (; born September 8, 1999) is an American professional football tight end for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins and was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft.

Early life Okonkwo grew up in Powder Springs, Georgia, and attended Hillgrove High School. He was born to a Nigerian family. As a junior, he caught 48 passes for 907 yards and 12 touchdowns. Okonkwo was rated a three-star recruit and committed to play college football at Maryland over offers from Georgia Tech and Wisconsin.

College career

Okonkwo caught six passes for 69 yards and a touchdown and also rushed three times for 72 yards and a touchdown during his freshman season. As a sophomore, he had 19 receptions for 201 yards and two touchdowns. Okonkwo missed the 2020 season after he developed myocarditis. As a senior, Okonkwo caught 52 passes for 447 yards and five touchdowns.

Professional career

Tennessee Titans

2022 season Okonkwo was selected in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft with the 143rd overall pick by the Tennessee Titans. He made his NFL debut in Week 1 against the New York Giants. In Week 4, against the Indianapolis Colts, he scored his first NFL touchdown on an eight-yard reception from Ryan Tannehill. As a rookie, he appeared in all 17 games and started eight. He finished with 32 receptions for 450 receiving yards, 3 rushing attempts for 2 yards, and three receiving touchdowns. He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.

2023 season In the 2023 season, he appeared in all 17 games and made 11 starts. He finished with 54 receptions for 528 receiving yards, two rushing attempts for six yards, and one receiving touchdown.

2024 season On a Week 12 road game against the Houston Texans, Okonkwo caught a career-high 70-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, leading the Titans to a 32–27 upset. He finished the 2024 season with 52 receptions for 479 yards and two touchdowns.

Washington Commanders On March 12, 2026, Okonkwo signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Washington Commanders.

NFL career statistics LegendBoldCareer high

Regular season YearTeamGamesReceivingRushingFumblesTackles GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Att Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost FR Cmb Solo Ast 2022 TEN 17 8 32 450 14.1 48 3 3 2 0.7 6 0 0 0 0 7 5 2 2023 TEN 17 11 54 528 9.8 39 1 2 6 3.0 4 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 2024 TEN 17 11 52 479 9.2 70 2 1 17 17.0 17 0 2 1 0 4 3 1 2025 TEN 17 12 56 560 10.0 43 2 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Career 68 42 194 2,017 10.4 70 8 6 25 4.2 17 0 2 1 1 12 8 4