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The Cleveland Browns may be one of the worst teams of the season. NFL midseason, but one veteran didn't want to leave before Tuesday's league trade deadline.
Tight end David Njoku has spent his entire career in Cleveland since being drafted 29th overall in 2017. For the past nine seasons he has represented Browns on and off the field as one of their leaders and he loves every second of it.
Cleveland has gone 55-84-1 since he entered the league, but Njoku gave an impassioned response to reporters who asked his reaction to not being traded before the deadline.
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Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku warms up before a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acresure Stadium on Oct. 12, 2025. (Barry Rieger/Imagn Images)
“Of course, there is always such a possibility. This is the NFL,” Njoku said. “But I'm in Cleveland, baby. I'm not going anywhere. There’s no way I’m leaving.”
The reporters repeated this several times, prompting Njoku to become louder.
“Jesus Christ, no,” he replied after one reporter asked if he would ever leave.
CLEVELAND RADIO HOST DESPITELY BEGGING BROWNS TO START WITH SHADER SANDERS: 'JUST PUT HIM OUT THERE'
The reason Njoku was traded was because he was on an expiring contract. The 29-year-old will become an unrestricted free agent after this season. However, he hopes to work something out to stay on the team.
He grinned when asked if negotiations for an extension had begun. “I can’t say,” he told a reporter. Njoku commented on why he is so passionate about the franchise.
“Can't you see it right here?” Njoku said as he showed off his custom jewelry. “It says [No.] 85 with the Nigerian flag, but it's also the state of Ohio. You didn't see this, did you? It's nice, isn't it?
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) celebrates a second-half touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on October 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Some players get upset when their team doesn't win, and Njoku could be that player after playing just three playoff games in nine seasons with Cleveland.
But when he didn't get a call on Tuesday telling him he'd been traded, his only reaction was happiness.
“I'm so happy, man. I don't know how else to say it – I'm so happy. I'm serious,” he said.
Through seven games this season, Njoku has caught 27 of 41 targets for 260 yards and two touchdowns. He also has a promising fellow tight end in Harold Fannin Jr., who caught 38 passes for 352 yards and two touchdowns.
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku during a game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 14, 2025. (Peter Casey/Imagn Images)
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Fannin's emergence as a reliable pass catcher in the Browns' offense only fueled the Njoku rumors.
But New Jersey the native will stay and at least finish the season with the Browns. Time will then tell whether both sides reach an agreement on an extension.
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