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The Cleveland Browns did not trade David Njoku at the trade deadline and the veteran tight end expressed relief over the decision. Njoku was one of the key trade chips the Browns had available. He’s a proven producer and is in the final year of his contract, making him an enticing target. However, the Browns held on to Njoku — a decision the veteran tight end was clearly happy about. “I’m happy as hell, bro,” Njoku said. “I don’t know how else to put it. I’m so happy. For real. I’m serious. … Listen, dawg, I found out the same way you found out, at 4 p.m. yesterday. I’m here. I ain’t (expletive) leaving.” Njoku, 29, needs a new deal if he wants to remain in Cleveland long-term. He has no plans to go anywhere else. “(Expletive) no,” Njoku said about the possibility of ever leaving the Browns. David Njoku ‘Core’ Player for Browns Njoku has come a long way in Cleveland. At one point early in coach Kevin Stefanski’s tenure, Njoku was buried on the depth chart. He demanded a trade, which the Browns refused. But instead of sulking, Njoku worked on his craft and became a well-rounded tight end, capable of making big plays in the passing game and blocking at a high level. “We’ve known him since he’s been 20-years-old and we’ve been through a lot with David and we’ve been happy to see him grow and mature in the organization,” Browns general manager Andrew Berry said in March. “Look, we love all of our long-tenured Browns to be with the organization until they’re done. Sometimes that happens, sometimes that doesn’t, so I can’t necessarily make a commitment there either way. “But I know David’s desire is to be with the Browns long term, and that’s ours as well. How and when and what that looks like, that’s maybe not the primary focus right now. David, we would consider one of our core players.” The Browns stood by that at the trade deadline, keeping Njoku on board despite the team’s 2-6 record. Cleveland also declined to ship out other veterans, like Wyatt Teller, who were highlighted as potential trade candidates. Browns May Not Bring Back David Njoku Njoku signed a four-year, $56.75 million contract extension with the Browns in 2022. The Browns will have to decide whether to extend Njoku again, with rookie Harold Fannin Jr. emerging as a breakout star. The Browns selected Fannin No. 67 overall after a record-setting college career at Bowling Green. Fannin broke the FBS tight end record for receiving yards (1,555), receptions (117), receiving yards per game (119.6) and receptions per game (9) last season. Through eight games, Fannin leads the team with 38 catches for 352 yards. The Browns are heading into a winnable game after a bye week. Cleveland will travel to take on the one-win Jets, who were big sellers at the trade deadline. The Browns are also changing play-callers from coach Kevin Stefanski to Tommy Rees, which may lead to more production from the passing game. There’s nowhere to go but up for the Browns offense, which has averaged 15.8 points and 263.5 yards this season.
