Just one day after Super Bowl 60, the NFL offseason took a new turn with breaking news directly affecting the Cleveland Browns and their roster for the 2026 season, as an unexpected departure was announced on social media.
David Njoku Says Goodbye to the Cleveland Browns
Everything indicates that tight end David Njoku has definitively ended his career in Cleveland.
As the Seattle Seahawks officially closed out the 2025 NFL season with a Super Bowl 60 win over the New England Patriots, one of the Browns’ stars took to social media to say he doesn’t expect to return to the team next season.
In an Instagram post (via Ari Meirov), Njoku shared a farewell message, expressing gratitude to Cleveland fans for his years of dedication to the team. Later, when responding to fans’ comments, he confirmed he would be seeking a “new home” to continue his professional career.
#Browns TE David Njoku announced his time in Cleveland is over.
He will be a free agent in March. pic.twitter.com/mHdt6ChKRH
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 10, 2026
The decision to leave the franchise marks the end of a long tenure for Njoku in Cleveland, where he was selected in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. In recent years, he has established himself as one of the team’s main offensive weapons.
As a result, Njoku’s departure is likely to leave a significant void in the Browns’ offense for next season, forcing team brass to seek alternatives for the TE position during the offseason.
Njoku, who ranks No. 48 in the PFSN TE Impact metric with a C- grade, spent nine seasons in Cleveland, becoming one of the most productive TEs in franchise history, ranking second in Browns history in career receptions at the position (384) behind only Ozzie Newsome. Additionally, he ranks sixth in touchdown receptions (34) and 12th in receiving yards (4,062) in team history.
In 2023, Njoku had the best season of his career, setting personal records in receptions (81), receiving yards (882), and touchdowns (6), which earned him a Pro Bowl selection. His production declined in the 2025 season, with 33 receptions for 293 yards and 4 TDs in 12 games, partly due to the rise of rookie Harold Fannin, who took snaps and targets from Njoku.
What Will Be Njoku’s Next Team?
Regarding Njoku’s next destination, the San Francisco 49ers are seen as a likely candidate for the veteran’s services due to the severity of George Kittle’s Achilles injury.
Another possible landing spot is the Atlanta Falcons, due to Njoku’s familiarity with new head coach Kevin Stefanski’s offensive scheme from their days with the Browns.
