Cleveland weighs trade deadline moves but values Njoku’s leadership and locker room influence.
Considering a flurry of midseason roster movement, the Cleveland Browns appear unlikely to move tight end David Njoku before Tuesday’s trade deadline. Sitting at 2-6, Cleveland is clearly exploring ways to reshape its roster. But ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his social media account that “Browns are likely to be more buyers than sellers this week. The Browns do not sound inclined to trade tight end David Njoku but they have been calling around the league, still looking to add quality young players to their roster.”
As per the Bleacher Report, the Browns have already made notable changes, like sending Joe Flacco and Greg Newsome II elsewhere while adding Cam Robinson and Tyson Campbell. Yet Njoku seems safe for now. A 2017 first-round pick and 2023 Pro Bowler, the 29-year-old has 27 catches for 260 yards and two touchdowns through seven games this season.
Inside the building, there’s a sense that Cleveland still values Njoku’s leadership and familiarity with the system, even as rookie Harold Fannin Jr. pushes for a bigger role. Fannin leads the team with 38 receptions for 352 yards, sparking talk that the veteran tight end’s role could shrink. Still, local reporting suggests the organization isn’t looking to cut ties just yet.
Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com wrote that the Browns “have no intentions of trading Njoku before the deadline.” She added, “The Browns will probably extend Njoku before his contract is up in March or let him test the market to help set his price. It seems to me that Njoku wants to finish his career here and that the Browns would like to have him back.”
That said, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer noted the team might consider if a strong offer surfaced. “If Cleveland gets a firm offer and Njoku signs off on the idea, the team would want to do right by him,” Breer said, adding that the Browns’ focus remains on supporting their young quarterback and evaluating the offense heading into 2026.
As The Athletic’s Zac Jackson pointed out, it’s “hard to see Njoku bringing back more than a fifth-round pick,” given his injury setbacks and the team’s offensive inconsistency. For now, GM Andrew Berry seems content to keep Njoku as both a target and a mentor while the Browns search for a spark to salvage their season.
Mandatory Image Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images
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