Browns veteran pens emotional farewell with Chiefs tipped to benefit from Shedeur Sanders blow

Feb 10, 2026 - 11:00

Pro Bowl tight end David Njoku is set to hit the market.

The 29-year-old NFL star, who has played the entirety of his nine seasons to date with the Cleveland Browns, is ready to find a new home.

David Njoku of the Cleveland Browns gets set during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium — Njoku will leave Cleveland after nine seasons with the Browns

Njoku confirmed he will not resign with the team, which went 5-12 in 2025 and fired Kevin Stefanski, in an emotional message to the city, the organization and its fans.

“Cleveland, first off I love you,” he wrote.

“These nine years have been a beautiful journey. I’m am so grateful for all the memories we shared together.

“Thank you to The Haslams, Andrew Berry and the whole browns organization for everything!

“All my teammates I shared the battle with, I’m so grateful for you guys.

“The time for me to find a new home has come and all I can think of is just the gratefulness in my heart. The city of Cleveland will forever be home. #ChiefOut.”

David Njoku departure comes as blow to Shedeur Sanders

Selected as a first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Njoku went on to make 88 starts for the Browns.

“He has racked up 4,062 yards and 34 touchdowns across nine years with the team, and when healthy, is one of the top tight ends in the NFL.

Njoku produced stellar numbers across the 2023 season, which saw him invited to the Pro Bowl.

Despite the Browns starting five different quarterbacks that year, he registered career highs of 81 catches, 882 yards and six touchdowns.

Tight end David Njoku listens to quarterback Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Huntington Bank Field — Njoku’s departure will leave a big hole on the Browns roster

Quarterback issues seem to be a running theme in Cleveland, and Njoku’s departure will not help Shedeur Sanders, who is coming off the back of a rough rookie season — and a Pro Bowl appearance.

The Browns have not committed to a signal caller for 2026, but general manager Berry has previously suggested new head coach Todd Monken will have a big hand in deciding who that will be.

If Sanders does retain the starting job he won 11 weeks into his rookie season, Njoku’s absence will no doubt be a big blow.

While he dealt with knee injuries through most of the season, and didn’t play past Week 14, the veteran still contributed four receiving touchdowns, the second-most behind fellow TE Harold Fannin Jr.

Njoku, with all his experience, will leave a massive hole in the offense as he departs.

The Browns, now, will look to Fannin to push on after an impressive debut season that saw him rack up 731 yards and six scores.

David Njoku #85, Jerry Jeudy #3 and Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns talk prior to the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 23, 2025 — Sanders will be without a veteran target in 2026

Where could David Njoku land after Browns exit?

While Cleveland will hope to improve on their five wins last season, Njoku is expected to be a top free agent and could land with a Super Bowl contender.

After the star announced he won’t return to the Browns, plenty of fans speculated over his potential landing spot.

“Think he wants to play for Mike Vrabel,” one wrote on X, speculating he could be heading to the New England Patriots, who were beaten in Super Bowl LX.

“Njoku and Baker Mayfield would be baking again!! Buccaneers, make that call now!” another said, urging Tampa Bay to bring him in.

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“Come to Miami, king,” a Dolphins fan wrote, while another said: “Dare I say… Bronco?”

Njoku will likely have plenty of offers on the table, and some also predicted he could be heading to the Kansas City Chiefs, should Travis Kelce decide to retire.

The NFL legend is yet to officially announce any decision on his future, but according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, he is set to meet with the franchise now Super Bowl LX is done, to ‘finalize’ his plan.

Should his decision be to step away, Njoku could be the perfect replacement.

David Njoku #85 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter in the game at Gillette Stadium on October 26, 2025 — Njoku will expect plenty of offers from free agency in the coming months

Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on during the National Anthem prior to the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on January 04, 2026 — The Chiefs could look to him to replace veteran TE Kelce

He would also present a reasonably-priced option, with a market value of under $10 million in annual salary, which could be important amid KC’s $55m offseason black hole.

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