'Everything comes full circle': David Njoku, Cleveland Browns happy to have future settled

BEREA – There was a moment during his career when David Njoku didn't think his future was with the Browns. Now, two years later, the tight end can't think of anything but a future in Cleveland.

Njoku agreed to terms with the Browns on a new four-year extension worth a maximum of $56.75 million on Friday. The deal, with $28 million guaranteed when he signed it Wednesday, runs through 2025.

"It means the world," Njoku said after Wednesday's organized team activities practice at the team's headquarters. "I guess everything comes full circle. Obviously in the past, we've had our differences. To be able to sign a four-year deal here where it all started, means everything to me. I'm very blessed to be here."

Two years ago, Njoku, through his agent Drew Rosenhaus, requested a trade. That request was eventually rescinded, and he played last season under his $6.013 million fifth-year option.

The Browns placed the franchise tag on Njoku in March, despite having started work on an extension last summer. A July 15 deadline for a new deal hung over the negotiations, or he would've played at a cost of $10.931 million next season.

What ultimately bridged the gap for Njoku was his ability to figuratively put on some earmuffs to block everything out.

"I'd say the time that I just decided just to ignore all the noise and get down to work," said Njoku, who did not participate in the first week of voluntary OTA practices last week. "I just realized that I do want to be here long-term. I just focused on more of the positive things than the negative things. In time, here we are. Like I said, I'm just very blessed."

More Cleveland Browns news: With new lawsuit filed, Kevin Stefanski points to research Browns did on Deshaun Watson

The Browns certainly feel they are as well. It's not even about what Njoku has done in the past as what they believe he can do in their new future together.

"I think with Dave, we certainly want to feature him," Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. "I think his skill set, as we all know, great size, great length, in terms of catching the football; being able to go up and pluck contested catches. … I think there's an evolution for Dave as a player."

A former 2017 first-round pick out of the University of Miami, Njoku caught 36 passes on 53 targets for 475 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games a year ago, 11 of which he started. That was his best season since 2018, when he set career-highs with 56 catches for 639 yards and four touchdowns.

More Cleveland Browns news: Browns All-Pro Myles Garrett taking his, teammates' talents 'to Miami to have a good time'

The past two seasons, Stefanski and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt have utilized a heavy dose of 13 personnel, featuring three tight ends. That was when the Browns had two other high-profile tight ends on the roster in 2020 free-agent signee Austin Hooper and Harrison Bryant, a fourth-round pick that same year.

Hooper was released by the Browns this offseason and eventually signed with the Tennessee Titans. Bryant remains on the roster.

Stefanski isn't tipping his hand on what changes could be coming.

"Certainly, you'd expect some of that share to be divvied up among all of the guys, including David," Stefanski said. "That all remains to be seen. … Obviously, we have to get into these games and game plan for these games and put players in position to go make plays and those types of things. He's a big part of what we plan to do."

That's not just within the passing game, although Njoku certainly wants to be heavily involved there. He has started 36 of the 65 career games in which he has appeared and caught 148 passes on 240 targets for 1,754 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Where Njoku has found a real niche is in the running game by developing into a top-flight run-blocking tight end.

"It's been fun to watch," Van Pelt said of Njoku's blocking. "To see a guy that wouldn't label himself as a run-blocker become one of the best run-blocking tight ends in the league has been impressive. His toughness, his strength, his ability to understand our scheme and what we're asking him to do, he's grown tremendously."

A big reason for that growth as a blocker lies in Njoku's attitude.

"I love blocking, man," Njoku said. "Honestly, I fell in love with it because at that point, it was all that I was really doing. So I had two options: I can either cry about it or just block some people. I chose to block."

That option remains on the table this season. A deep running back rotation, led by Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, should certainly get plenty of opportunities.

However, with the addition of Deshaun Watson, even with a potential NFL suspension looming for him, the Browns expect their passing offense to elevate to new heights. Heights that certainly figure to include Njoku.

For Njoku, whatever it is, that's just fine with him.

"Whatever our coaches tell me to do, I'll do," Njoku said. "I'll go 100%, full-speed at that. I guess I'm just excited to be a part of this great team."

Reach Chris at chris.easterling@indeonline.com.

On Twitter: @ceasterlingINDE

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: David Njoku happy to have future with Cleveland Browns settled