David Njoku’s career with the Browns is over as NFL free agency looms

The Cleveland Browns will not have David Njoku

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What is the story about?

A day after the Super Bowl, the end of an era has come for the Cleveland Browns. On the long list of pending free agents on the Browns roster are long-time players like TE David Njoku,

OL Joel Bitonio, and OL Wyatt Teller. Bitonio may retire, while some wondered if Njoku and Teller would be more likely to return with HC Kevin Stefanski fired.

Cleveland’s new head coach search ended with offensive guru Todd Monken taking charge, with DC Jim Schwartz departing the organization shortly after. Monken is

now tasked with finding a new defensive coordinator while trying to revamp the Browns offense.

Monken will have to do that without Njoku in Cleveland for the first time in his career. In a post on Instagram loaded with pictures from his career, Njoku announced his pending departure from the team:

Cleveland, first off I love you. These 9 years have been a beautiful journey. I’m am 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❤️ #ChiefOut

In nine seasons, Njoku played in 118 games, catching 384 passes for 4,062 yards and 34 touchdowns. His best season came in 2023 with 81 receptions for 882 yards and six touchdowns, leading to his only Pro Bowl appearance.

The Browns selected Njoku with the 29th pick in the 2017 NFL draft out of the University of Miami, Florida. Njoku was a raw talent at the time with just two years of college experience and 64 receptions for 1,060 yards and nine touchdowns. A high-energy player, Njoku never put up the big numbers his athletic gifting seemed to promise, often dealing with poor quarterback play from multiple starters each season.

Injuries also played a role in Chief’s limited production as he only played in 16 games four times in his career, including his first two in the league.

Njoku turns 30 this offseason as he enters NFL free agency for the first time, after having the franchise tag placed on him in the 2022 offseason. Due to the void years in his contract, Njoku will cost $24 million against Cleveland’s salary cap space going forward. GM Andrew Berry could use a post-June 1st release to spread that cap hit over multiple seasons.

What is your favorite Njoku memory? Do you think the Browns should have tried to extend his contract last year to keep him from hitting NFL free agency?

Share your Chief thoughts in the comment section below