The Los Angeles Chargers started off the season hot with three consecutive wins over the Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, and Denver Broncos. Since then, the Chargers were upset by the New York Giants and took a loss to the Washington Commanders.
Franchise quarterback Justin Herbert threw three interceptions in this pair of games. While Herbert does have a trio of star wide receivers in Ladd McConkey, Keenan Allen, and Quentin Johnston, tight end production is virtually nonexistent. If Los Angeles’ front office feels an upgrade at the position is a top priority, trading for a star tight end in the AFC North could be an option.
Could the Chargers Nab TE David Njoku From the Struggling Cleveland Browns?
In the Chargers’ 27-10 loss to the Commanders in Week 5, TE Tyler Conklin recorded two receptions for 30 yards. This was the third-best tight end performance of the season for L.A., trailing only his own Week 1 and Oronde Gadsden’s Week 3 outing. It’s important to note their starter, Will Dissly, missed Weeks 3-5 due to injury.
The Cleveland Browns are 1-4 with a rookie QB at the helm, so moving off aging TE David Njoku, who is in the final season of his four-year, $54 million contract, could be in their best interest. Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox predicts the Browns could trade Njoku to the Chargers and projects the return value for Cleveland to be a conditional 2026 fourth-round pick.
“While there’s value in having two pass-catching tight ends–especially for a team trying to support a young signal-caller–the Browns have to be thinking long-term,” Knox wrote. “Njoku is set to be a free agent in 2026, and Cleveland should be able to get, at worst, a middle-round pick for him.”
Njoku is sharing snaps and targets with rookie Harold Fannin Jr., but still has a higher impact score from PFSN than Dissly or any of the other Chargers’ TEs. Dissly has a 71.0, while Njoku holds a 75.2 despite the competition from Fannin Jr.
Trading for the 29-year-old Browns Pro Bowler would leave Herbert with no excuses if he fails to succeed. A weapon room of Allen, McConkey, Johnston, and Njoku would rank among the best in the league.
The reality is the Chargers’ defense could likely use a few upgrades before the trade deadline more so than the offense. Combine this factor with many teams likely showing interest in Njoku if he’s made available, and it’s unlikely fans see him in a Chargers uniform anytime soon.