David Njoku’s time in Cleveland has officially come to an end, and what a wild, unforgettable ride it’s been for the Browns’ charismatic tight end. On Monday night, February 9, 2026, Njoku took to Instagram to post a heartfelt farewell to the city, the fans, and the organization as he prepares to enter free agency on March 12. The message struck an emotional chord: “Cleveland, first off I love you,” Njoku wrote. “These 9 years have been a beautiful journey. I’m 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.”

It’s the end of an era for both Njoku and the Browns. Drafted as a raw, high-flying 20-year-old out of Miami with the 29th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Njoku leaves as one of the most productive and beloved tight ends in franchise history. Over nine seasons, he started 88 of 118 games, recorded 384 receptions for 4,062 yards, and scored 34 touchdowns. These numbers place him second only to Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome in team history for tight ends in both catches and touchdowns, and third in receiving yards behind Newsome and Milt Morin. Since the Browns’ return to the NFL in 1999, no player has caught more passes or gained more yards at tight end than Njoku.

Njoku’s journey wasn’t always smooth. Early in his career, he was known for his athleticism—he was a national high jump champion in high school, clearing 7-foot-1—but he also struggled with drops and consistency. He was often better at making the spectacular catch than the routine one. Perhaps his most memorable grab came in 2022, when he soared in the back of the end zone to force overtime against Tom Brady and the Buccaneers on a crucial fourth down. That play, made with a bum leg, remains etched in the memories of Browns fans everywhere.

But it wasn’t just highlight-reel moments that defined Njoku’s tenure. He was a vibrant presence in the locker room, famous for his two-toned braids, shirtless bravado even in the coldest Cleveland winters, and his signature “Chief Slam” touchdown celebrations. He brought energy, noise, and leadership to a team often searching for stability.

Njoku’s career was also marked by adversity and perseverance. In 2023, he survived a terrifying firepit accident that left him with severe burns on his face, hand, and arm. Astonishingly, he played just two days later, refusing to let the injury slow him down. “When it happened, my eyes were open, so I saw everything and I really should have been blinded,” Njoku recounted. “So luckily I’m not. I give all the glory to God.” That season, he posted career highs with 81 receptions for 882 yards and six touchdowns, earning his first Pro Bowl selection and helping the Browns reach the playoffs.

Through it all, Njoku weathered a revolving door of quarterbacks—16 different starters during his tenure—and a series of coaching changes. He played for three full-time head coaches and an interim, each with a different offensive philosophy. The most recent shakeup came just days ago, as the Browns fired Kevin Stefanski and brought in Todd Monken to lead the next phase of the team’s rebuild.

Njoku’s relationship with Stefanski evolved over time from tension to mutual respect. Stefanski reflected, “He thinks I didn’t like him when I first got here, which is not true. I just told him the truth and he didn’t like that. But to watch him mature and become a leader, the energy he brings in the building, the unbelievable plays that he’s made over the years—I always think to that fourth down versus Tampa where he was banged up on—we tried to throw him a screen the play before he got tackled, twisted his leg. So he’s got a bum leg and he goes up and makes that catch. So I think the world of the person. Obviously disappointed for this season and the injuries, but I think very highly of the person.”

The 2025 season signaled a changing of the guard. Rookie Harold Fannin Jr., drafted in the third round out of Bowling Green, burst onto the scene to lead the team’s tight ends with 72 receptions for 731 yards and six touchdowns. Njoku, meanwhile, was limited to 12 games due to a knee injury suffered on December 7, finishing with 33 catches for 293 yards and four scores. He missed the final stretch of the season, including the finale, as the Browns leaned on youth and began retooling the offense.

General Manager Andrew Berry was candid about the team’s direction: “On the offensive side of the ball, we looked and we felt like we had a number of young, pillar, cornerstone pieces, but we envision a world where that side of the ball is going to have pretty significant turnover over the next several months.” With the Browns opting not to re-sign Njoku, the writing was on the wall.

Njoku’s contract, a four-year, $54.75 million extension signed in 2022, was restructured several times to help the team manage salary cap costs, adding void years that will leave the Browns with over $24 million in dead cap space spread across the coming seasons. The financial realities, combined with Njoku’s age—he’ll turn 30 before next season—and the team’s youth movement, made a split all but inevitable.

Despite trade rumors swirling at the 2025 deadline, Njoku made it clear he wanted to stay: “But I’m in Cleveland, baby. I’m not going nowhere. I ain’t f****** leaving,” he declared. Yet, by season’s end, he acknowledged the uncertainty: “I do, but it’s not up to me.”

Njoku’s time in Cleveland was defined by passion, resilience, and a connection with the city that won’t soon be forgotten. His last official act as a Brown—placing an imaginary crown on Myles Garrett’s head after Garrett set the NFL single-season sack record—was a fitting send-off for two of the team’s most impactful 2017 draftees.

As the Browns enter a new chapter and Njoku seeks a fresh start elsewhere, there’s little doubt his legacy in Cleveland is secure. The “Chief” may be out, but he leaves behind a trail of memories, records, and a heartfelt goodbye that fans will cherish for years to come.