The Washington Commanders spent the offseason trying to fix a defense that looked lost in 2025. New faces, new coordinator, new hope. But here’s the thing nobody’s talking about: the offense might be the unit that actually jumps.
Jayden Daniels is the real deal. We know that. But even the best quarterback needs someone to throw to when the first read isn’t there. Terry McLaurin is going to get his. After that? It’s a grab bag of question marks. And that’s exactly why a tight end nobody’s talking about could become one of the most important players on this roster.
Chig Okonkwo Is About to Get Fed
His numbers in Tennessee were fine. 54 catches. 52 catches. 56 catches. Around 500 yards each year. Five total touchdowns over three seasons. Nothing jumps off the page. But context matters. The Titans quarterbacks during that stretch were not good. Ryan Tannehill on his last legs. Will Levis looking lost. Mason Rudolph. Not exactly a murderer’s row of passing talent.
Now Okonkwo gets Daniels, who spent his first two seasons leaning hard on tight end Zach Ertz. Daniels is comfortable throwing into tight windows over the middle. He trusts his tight ends. And the Commanders don’t have a proven No. 2 receiver. So the targets are there for the taking.
“That’s the plan for me is to take that next step of my career and becoming the player that I know I can be,” Okonkwo told the team’s website. “I feel like this is definitely the place to do it.”
Daniels sounds excited too. “I was super excited we got Chig,” he said. “Just how he plays, he plays fast. Everything’s one hundred percent with him, so he’s smart. He’s been in this league for some time, and now he gets to go out there and show his talents on a bigger stage and a bigger role in the offense.”
Okonkwo’s career high in targets is 79. That number should get crushed. Think 90-plus targets, five-plus touchdowns, and the best receiving numbers of his career. It’s not a hot take. It’s math.
Jacory Crowley-Merritt Needs to Be the Guy
The Commanders put a lot on Jacory Crowley-Merritt. They call him “Bill.” And they need him to work out because the alternative is Rachaad White, who’s fine but not a difference-maker, or rookie Kaytron Allen. If Merritt doesn’t hit, this running game is in trouble. And general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn might be in trouble too.
The good news: Merritt bulked up in the offseason. He’s trying to handle the lead role. And head coach Dan Quinn likes what he’s seen so far.
“I’ve been pleased with the additions that we’ve had,” Quinn said of the running backs during OTAs.
New offensive coordinator David Blough might have some surprises up his sleeve. White said the backs are excited about what Blough is scheming up. “I think it’s great with all the things that he does for us, the different things that he does in the positions that he puts us in,” White said. “So, I think it’s great. It’s gonna be really fun.”
If Merritt can stay healthy and take the step Washington needs, this backfield could be a sneaky strength. If not, the questions are going to get loud.
Trey Amos Has the Tools to Flip the Secondary
The Commanders’ cornerback situation was a mess last year. Marshon Lattimore couldn’t get anything going. The pass rush didn’t help. But Trey Amos, a second-round pick in 2025, got eight starts as a rookie. He didn’t light the world on fire. But he showed flashes.
Pro Football Focus put him on their All-Breakout team. Analyst Bradley Locker pointed out that while Amos had a rough overall grade (55.8), he posted a 68.5 or better coverage grade in five of his 10 games. His lockdown rate was 26th among all cornerbacks. And he broke up 17.6% of the passes thrown his way. That’s a lot of disruption for a rookie.
Washington has more talent on defense this year. Daronte Jones is the new defensive coordinator, and he’s got a real track record. If the pass rush improves, Amos could jump into the upper tier of NFL corners. The raw ability is there. Now he just needs the help.
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