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The Cleveland Browns may be one of the NFL’s worst teams at midseason, but one veteran didn’t want to see himself sent away before the league’s trade deadline on Tuesday.
Tight end David Njoku has spent his entire career in Cleveland since being drafted 29th overall in 2017. Over the past nine seasons, he has represented the Browns on and off the field as one of their leaders and has loved every second of it.
Cleveland is 55-84-1 since entering the league, but Njoku was passionate in his response to reporters who asked his reaction if he hadn’t been traded before the deadline.
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Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) warms up for a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on October 12, 2025. (Barry Reeger/Imagn Images)
“Of course, it’s always a possibility. It’s the NFL,” Njoku said. “But I’m in Cleveland, baby. I’m not going anywhere. I’m not leaving.”
Reporters followed several times, prompting Njoku to speak louder.
“Jesus Christ, no,” he replied after a reporter asked if he would ever leave.
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The reason Njoku was a trade target was because his contract expired. After this season, the 29-year-old will become an unrestricted free agent. However, he hopes to find a solution to stay on the team.
He smiled when asked if extension negotiations had started: “I can’t say,” he told the journalist. Njoku explained why he is so passionate about the franchise.
“Don’t you see that here?” » Said Njoku, showing off her personalized jewelry. “It is said [No.] 85 with the Nigerian flag, but it is also the state of Ohio. You didn’t see that, did you? It’s nice, isn’t it?”
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of the NFL game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Cleveland Browns at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Sunday, October 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Some players get frustrated when their team doesn’t win, and Njoku might be that player, having only played in three playoff games total in his nine seasons with Cleveland.
But when he didn’t get the call announcing he’d been traded Tuesday, his only reaction was joy.
“I’m so happy, man. I don’t know how else to say it, I’m so happy. I’m serious,” he said.
In seven games this season, Njoku has hit 27 of 41 targets for 260 yards and two touchdowns. He also has a promising counterpart at tight end, Harold Fannin Jr., who has caught 38 passes for 352 yards and two touchdowns.
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 14, 2025. (Peter Casey/Imagn Images)
Fannin’s emergence as a reliable pass catcher for the Browns offense has only fueled the fire around the Njoku rumors.
But the New Jersey native is staying and will at least finish the season with the Browns. From there, time will tell if the two sides can come to an agreement on an extension.
