There is a lot for head coach Dan Quinn and his staff to figure out over training camp. The Washington Commanders got off to a tremendous start this offseason, but that will count for nothing if the tempo doesn't pick up and the players don't respond.
But fortunately for Quinn, the Commanders will arrive at camp with one glaring concern now fading.
Fans were demanding action at the tight end position. Zach Ertz was productive and a superb leader during his two seasons with the club, but he was aging. And the brutal torn ACL suffered against the Minnesota Vikings all but ended any slim hopes of another deal in Washington.
Commanders' tight end dynamic could alleviate some major offensive concerns
Considering how much offensive coordinator David Blough is projected to feature the tight end spot within his scheme, more was required. General manager Adam Peters duly obliged, signing Chig Okonkwo to a three-year, $27 million deal in free agency to fill the void left by Ertz.
Okonkwo doesn't come with Ertz's glittering career credentials. Even so, he is younger, far more dynamic, and capable of thriving within Blough's system. The strong start over Washington's offseason program only raised hope about his outlook in the most profitable situation of his professional career by a wide margin.
He wasn't the only tight end to stand out, either.
John Bates' blocking credentials need no introduction, but Blough is looking for him to become the total package. Ben Sinnott, the 2024 second-round pick who's been a relative afterthought for two years, is also being used in different ways to maximize the obvious physical gifts. Even Colson Yankoff is flashing more as a pass-catcher, so all signs are pointing up.
Obviously, it's early days. Fans will see a little more about what Blough has planned for the tight ends at training camp and the preseason. He won't reveal all his secrets, but it would be surprising if this position group didn't become an important piece of the puzzle.
Losing someone like Ertz could have had a detrimental impact on Washington's chances if a suitable contingency plan wasn't put in place. Between Peters, Blough, and head coach Dan Quinn, they seem to have found the right formula.
Talk is cheap. The Commanders need to bounce back by any means necessary this season. Any more woefully inconsistent performances will carry grave consequences, and everyone knows it.
Quinn took a massive risk by hiring Blough, who's got no NFL play-calling experience. But with his tight ends showing signs of real life, this could potentially provide the spark that enables his offense to take off with quarterback Jayden Daniels healthy.
Hopefully, this is just the start of what's to come. Blough and the Commanders are counting on it.
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