Browns, David Njoku agree on massive contract extension

The Cleveland Browns and tight end David Njoku turned the franchise tag into a huge four-year contract extension.

Prior to the start of the 2022 league year, there was a common theme among some NFL teams, and that was to place the franchise tag on their tight end set to hit free agency. The Cleveland Browns were one of those teams, as they put the franchise tag on David Njoku, giving both sides until July 15 to negotiate a new deal. They accomplished that with over a month to spare.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, the Browns and Njoku agreed to terms on a four year, $56.75 million contract extension. Njoku is fully guaranteed $28 million and will now be the fifth-highest paid tight end in the NFL.

Browns, David Njoku agree to huge contract extension

If Cleveland and Njoku were not to reach an agreement by the deadline, he would have been paid $10.9 million for the upcoming season.

The Browns used the 29th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft on Njoku, who played for the Miami Hurricanes football program. Njoku had a breakout second season with the Browns in 2018, as he caught 56-of-88 targets for 639 yards and four touchdowns.

Overall, Njoku recorded 148 receptions for 1,754 yards and 15 touchdowns in his five seasons with the team.

Other tight ends that received the franchise tag this offseason and are looking for a new deal are Dalton Schultz of the Dallas Cowboys and Mike Gesicki of the Miami Dolphins.

After five seasons, the Browns rewarded Njoku by making him one of the highest paid tight ends in the entire league.