Shedeur Sanders and the Cleveland Browns did not have the 2025 NFL season they were hoping for, finishing the year with a 5-12 record and missing out on the playoffs for the second straight year. On the bright side, the Browns finished out 2025 on a two-game winning streak, building momentum for the 2026 season.
Sanders started the last seven games, helping Cleveland secure a 3-4 record in those matchups. He completed 120-of-212 passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions, adding another 169 yards and a score on the ground. But in his second year in the NFL, Sanders and the offense will face a major adjustment without tight end David Njoku, who has announced that he's moving on from Cleveland.
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Njoku was selected by the Browns with the No. 29 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft after a three-year college career at Miami. The tight end has been a consistent presence in Cleveland over the past nine seasons, totaling 384 catches for 4,062 yards and 34 touchdowns.
But during the second half of the 2025 season, Njoku dealt with a knee injury that forced him to miss the final four games, opening the door for rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. to take on a larger role in the offense. And after the season, Njoku’s four-year, $54.75 million contract expired, making him a free agent.
On Monday, Njoku confirmed it was time for a change, announcing he would not return to Cleveland for a 10th season.
"Cleveland, first off I love you," Njoku wrote on Instagram. "These 9 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"
Njoku had served as a key red zone target for Sanders while building chemistry with the rookie quarterback. With his exit, Fannin is in line to continue as the team’s top tight end. But even with a promising rookie year, he remains far less proven, creating a drop-off in experience and consistency.