When the Cleveland Browns picked tight end David Njoku in 2017, he was just a 20-year-old fresh out of Miami, and now, he's heading to Los Angeles with a special message from his NFL franchise.

The tight end wore the Browns’ colors for nine years. As he continues his football journey with a new franchise, the Browns have wished him well. 

“Thank you David, for nine incredible years with us. Your passion, tenacity, and fire for the game and for this team were unmatched and we were grateful for it every week,” the Browns wrote on their X page on May 12.  

On May 11, the 29-year-old tight end signed a one-year, $8 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers. Njoku entered the free agency market in February this year and penned a farewell message.

“Cleveland, first off I love you,” his February 10 Instagram read. “These 9 years have been a beautiful journey. The time for me to find a new home has come.”

With that, he left the Browns after a long career with them, totalling 4,000+ receiving yards and a Pro Bowl selection.

Njoku showed great promise but didn't always stay consistent with his plays, primarily due to the Browns’ unstable quarterback roster. 

“While his overall production wavered, thanks…to the revolving door the Browns have had at quarterback, when Njoku was at his best, he was one of the top tight ends in the league,” Owen Crisafulli wrote in his article for Heavy. 

The tight end displayed his best performance in the 2023 season when he appeared in 16 games and made 81 receptions. He amassed 882 receiving yards and scored six touchdowns. 

With his departure, for the Browns, a chapter has come to an end. As he joins the Chargers, he brings his spirited personality and experience.

NFL Reporters Explain What The Browns Are Parting With

Browns experts Dan Labbe and Mary Kay Cabot bid farewell to David Njoku and discussed the implications of his exit for the Browns.

“David lived out loud, both literally and figuratively. He just had a booming voice, a booming presence. I mean, he had a tumultuous, tumultuous career here,” Cabot said. “He played with 16 different quarterbacks in his career here. And 14 since 2020.” 

While the Browns failed him with the quarterbacks, except for the 2023 Njoku-Joe Flacco partnership, Njoku gained invaluable experience that another tight end could benefit from.

For 2026, Njoku is the perfect mentor for the Chargers’ standout 2025 rookie Oronde Gadsden. 

“Signing...Njoku in free agency provides a boost to Justin Herbert’s offense,” a Sports Illustrated article said on May 11. “It also gives the Chargers an incredible veteran mentor for breakout second-year tight end Oronde Gadsden.” 

Gadsden managed 49 receptions for 664 yards and scored three touchdowns in his rookie season. Now, the 22-year-old would have a reliable TE2 to create a productive partnership. 

All eyes would be on Njoku now as he approached 30. Are you excited to see him play for the Chargers? Tell us in the comments.

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote