Yahoo Sports NFL on John Bates

ArticleDo Chig Okonkwo, Antonio Williams & Treylon Burks offer enough receiving help f...Captured August 1, 2026

From the article

As helpful as John Bates' blocking was, and with as much as third-stringer Ben Sinnott stands to prove, Washington's front office readied for a pressure-filled offseason where they'd have to find someone to balance out the Commanders' offense.

STACKED’s take

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Bates' role clarifies with Okonkwo taking over as primary receiving tight end.

With Okonkwo's arrival, Bates has the opportunity to settle into a clearer role. The source acknowledges 'as helpful as John Bates' blocking was' in the wake of Ertz's injury, but notes that Okonkwo's addition allows Bates to move away from being the primary receiving option and focus on his blocking strengths.