This was not nearly as dramatic as former Cavaliers star LeBron James announcing to a national audience on ESPN that he was taking his talents to South Beach in the summer of 2010. But one day after the Super Bowl, David Njoku announced he’ll be taking his talents — somewhere else. After nine se asons playing tight end for the Browns, Njoku announced in an Instagram post that he’ll use free agency to find a different team when it begins next month. There is no bitterness in his message. “Cleveland, first off I love you,’ his post read. “These 9 years have been a beautiful journey. I 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.” Njoku ended his message with a heart and #Chiefout. “Chief” has long been Njoku’s nickname. David Njoku shares a farewell message to Browns fans. He’s set to be a free agent. “The time for me to find a new home has come” pic.twitter.com/aQzGHqYqem — ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) February 10, 2026 Njoku caught 384 passes for 4,062 yards and 34 touchdowns in his time in Cleveland. Only Ozzie Newsome with 661 and Dante Lavelli with 386 caught more passes than Njoku in Browns’ franchise history. Harold Fannin, a third-round draft pick by the Browns in 2025, displaced Njoku as the starting tight end early in the just-concluded season. Fannin led the team in reception (72), receiving yards (731) and touchdowns (six). Injuries limited Njoku to 12 games. He missed the last four with a knee injury. He finished the season with 33 catches — his fewest since catching only 19 passes in 2020. Njoku is 29 years old. The Browns could have traded him to a contending team at the trade deadline, even for a fifth-round pick, but nothing transpired. Njoku was a first-round draft pick in 2017. In one of the highlight moves of Sashi Brown’s time running the football operation in Berea, Brown traded picks 33 and 108 in 2017 to the Packers so he could use the 29th pick to draft Njoku, who in the fall of 2016 caught 43 passes for 698 yards and eight touchdowns for the Miami Hurricanes. For what it’s worth, the Packers took defensive back Kevin King with the 33rd pick and linebacker Vince Biegel with the 108th pick. King played for the Packers from 2017-21. He was out of football for two years. He played 15 games for the Falcons in 2024 but did not play in 2025. Biegel played for the Packers, Saints and Dolphins in a career that spanned from 2017-21. He did not play in 2020. Related Articles Browns intensify search for new defensive coordinator Last two civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault by Browns QB Deshaun Watson dismissed Myles Garrett has duty to make Browns’ defense follow Todd Monken | Jeff Schudel Jim Schwartz resigns as Browns defensive coordinator PHOTOS: Greater Cleveland Sports Awards, Feb. 5, 2026 ...read more read less