The Cleveland Browns are in the middle of a rough 4-12 season, but there is still plenty to be optimistic about in Cleveland thanks to a standout rookie class.
While the defensive rookies have been great, Harold Fannin Jr. Has been the most noteworthy rookie for Cleveland. He's become the Browns' top tight end, overtaking David Njoku in a clear way this season.
Amid that TE takeover, Njoku's $10 million contract projection from The Ringer's Austin Gayle makes the Browns' offseason decision with their veteran tight end an easy one.
David Njoku projected to land $10 million per-year deal
"Mike Gesicki signed a three-year contract worth $8.5 million per year last offseason when he was entering his age-30 season," Gayle writes, "and Dallas Goedert reworked his contract to a one-year, $10 million deal at 30 years old in May."
Njoku, a 29-year-old tight end who will be 30 next season, "should sign something in that range if he can get a clean bill of health," Gayle writes.
Thanks to Fannin taking over the tight end room this season, and looking like one of the best rookies in the NFL, there's little reason to spend so much on a backup tight end.
Njoku might've played the final snaps in a Browns uniform in his career, since Fannin has broken out, and Njoku is a free agent poised for a decent payday.
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The nine-year veteran and Pro Bowl tight end had 33 receptions for 293 yards and four touchdowns this season. He's going to hit free agency, and while he wasn't great in 2025, his history makes him worth investing in.
A tight end-needy team would have reason to sign Njoku to a one-year prove-it deal at worst, and while Njoku could land a multi-year deal, his injury history might make such a contract hard to get.
But, regardless of how things pan out, Njoku isn't going to be a priority for the Browns thanks to Fannin breaking out in 2025.
A $10 million per-year deal for Njoku would only make the Browns more unlikely to bring the veteran tight end back. It's not out of the realm of possibility, but Browns fans should prepare for life without the longtime TE in Cleveland.
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