Harold Fannin Jr. New TE1?
Veteran Tight End David Njoku Announces Departure from Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku confirmed Monday he will not return to the franchise after nine seasons. The 29-year-old announced his decision on Instagram.
“The time for me to find a new home has come,” Njoku wrote in the post, according to ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi. Njoku thanked the organization and city before closing with “The city of Cleveland will forever be home.”
Njoku suffered a knee injury in Week 14 against the Tennessee Titans and never returned to the field. He finished the 2025 season with 33 receptions for 293 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games. He was targeted just 48 times as his role diminished.
The Browns selected Njoku with the 29th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Miami. He finishes his Cleveland tenure with 384 receptions for 4,062 yards and 34 touchdowns across 118 games. He ranks second in franchise history among tight ends in both receptions and touchdown catches, trailing only Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome.
Njoku made his only Pro Bowl in 2023 when he posted career highs with 81 receptions for 882 yards and six touchdowns. The Browns signed him to a four-year, $54 million extension in 2022.
His production declined significantly in 2025 as Harold Fannin Jr. emerged as the team’s primary pass-catching option. Fannin caught 72 passes for 731 yards and six touchdowns in 16 games. The Browns selected Fannin in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft from Bowling Green.
Njoku was the subject of trade speculation leading up to the November deadline. He told reporters in early November he was staying put. He grew emotional when discussing the rumors.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Njoku said at the time.
Browns general manager Andrew Berry indicated in January the offense would undergo significant changes heading into 2026. Cleveland finished near the bottom of the league in most offensive categories.
Njoku will become an unrestricted free agent when the 2026 league year begins on March 11. He is expected to draw interest from multiple teams seeking tight end help.
The Browns now enter the offseason with Fannin as their top tight end. Brenden Bates and Blake Whiteheart remain under contract as depth options. Njoku missed 11 games over the past two seasons due to various injuries. His 8.9 yards per reception in 2025 marked his lowest average since 2017, when he appeared in just four games.
Cleveland struggled at quarterback throughout 2025. The team cycled through multiple starters as it finished with a losing record for the third consecutive season. Fannin led all Browns receivers in catches during his debut campaign. He recorded six 100-yard receiving games and scored both rushing and receiving touchdowns.
The Browns thanked Njoku for his contributions in a brief statement released Tuesday morning. The team did not address his replacement or free agency plans.