David Njoku: Everything you need to know

The Browns released Njoku (knee) on Thursday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports. Cleveland coupled Njoku's release with a post-June 1 designation, spreading the hits of his dead cap out into $9.5 million for 2026 and $14.7 million in 2027, per Oyefusi. The breakout rookie campaign logged by Harold Fannin last year limited Njoku to just a 33-293-4 line across 12 regular-season appearances, with injuries also limiting his production. Across his nine seasons with the Browns, however, Njoku surpassed 500 receiving yards on four separate occasions despite inconsistent quarterback play, including an impressive 81-882-6 line in 2023. He missed the final four games of 2025 due to knee and personal issues, but Njoku is now presumably healthy and ready to search for a new squad for his age-30 season.

Njoku (knee) posted on his Instagram account Monday that it is time for him "to find a new home," Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports. Njoku just completed his ninth season with the Browns, posting a 33-293-4 receiving line on 48 targets over 12 games. His catch, yardage and target totals were his lowest since 2020, due in part to injury (he missed five contests, including the final four of the season) but even more so because of the emergence of rookie TE Harold Fannin (groin). Njoku's contract is scheduled to void upon the start of the 2026 league year, and it sounds like the veteran out of Bowling Green won't be returning to Cleveland. Given the increasing importance of tight ends around the league, though, Njoku could still have multiple suitors in free agency.

Njoku (knee/personal) has been ruled out for Sunday's season finale against the Bengals, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports. Njoku being ruled out for Week 18 is no surprise, given that the last time he practiced or played was Week 14. He wraps the 2025 campaign with 12 regular-season appearances, in which span he secured 33 of 48 targets for 293 yards and four touchdowns, as his production dipped due to the emergence of rookie tight end Harold Fannin (groin), who also is ruled out for Sunday's game. That leaves Blake Whiteheart, Brenden Bates and practice-squad player Sal Cannella in position to man the Browns' tight end corps versus Cincinnati. Njoku is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, assuming the Browns allow his contract to void Feb. 10.