The Cleveland Browns were one of 10 NFL teams to change head coaches this offseason. They went from having a two-time NFL Coach of the Year in Kevin Stefanski to moving forward with the unproven Todd Monken.
While Monken is another bright offensive mind who could help Cleveland’s offense improve upon being ranked 31st in scoring as they were in 2025, he’ll have to do so without one of the team’s Pro Bowl players.
On Tuesday, Cleveland’s starting tight end, David Njoku, released a statement thanking Browns fans for their support during his nine-year tenure with the team. While doing so, he revealed he’d be leaving the Browns in free agency this offseason.
“Cleveland, first off, I love you,” Njoku wrote on Instagram. “These nine years have been a beautiful journey. I’m so grateful for all the memories we shared together. Thank you to the Haslams, Andrew Berry and the whole Browns organization for everything!! All my teammates I shared the battle with, I’m so grateful for you guys. The time for me to find a new home has come, and all I can think of is just the gratefulness in my heart. The City of Cleveland will forever be home.”
Njoku may not know which team he’ll be playing for in 2026, but with the emergence of third-round rookie Harold Fannin Jr taking over as the top tight end in Cleveland, Njoku became expendable. Nevertheless, there will be plenty of interest in the 29-year-old tight end.
Njoku hasn’t topped 1,000 yards in a single season. Yet, he’s become known as a good run blocker who can still make an impact in the passing game as a receiver too, topping out with 882 yards and six touchdowns in his lone Pro Bowl season in 2023.
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