Browns Pro Bowl TE David Njoku is still a free agent for one reason

The Cleveland Browns had one of the better draft classes last year, selecting Quinshon Judkins, Carson Schwesinger, Mason Graham, and Harold Fannin Jr. to form a great draft class.

Thanks to their star-studded class, the Browns can let a few players go in free agency. Devin Bush has already signed with the Chicago Bears, but David Njoku, the veteran Pro Bowl tight end Fannin replaced, is still unsigned.

ESPN's Bill Barnwell revealed the one reason why Njoku still hasn't signed with a new team this offseason. It's a simple reason: Njoku's injury history.

David Njoku is still a free agent due to injury history

"Why is he still available? Injuries," Barnwell writes. "The veteran tight end missed 11 games over his final two years in Cleveland, most recently because of a knee injury."

Not only has Njoku missed time the last two years due to injuries, but his production for the Browns has dipped alongside his struggles to stay on the field.

Combined with Njoku's injury history is his age. He will be 30 years old at the start of the 2026 season, making the veteran tight end a bit more of a question mark going forward.

He will land a new contract with a team this offseason, and while it might not be for a lot of money, the receiving upside he brings will surely have a team interested.

More: Browns agree to deals with Elgton Jenkins and Teven Jenkins

But playing 11 games in 2024 and 12 in 2025 has made his free agency this offseason go a bit slower than it would've been if he were healthy.

Njoku had just 293 receiving yards with four touchdowns in 2025 and 505 yards with five touchdowns the year prior. That's not terrible production, but compared to his 882-yard 2023 season with six touchdowns on 81 receptions and 123 targets, it is a big step back.

The Browns' veteran tight end will find a new landing spot, as the nine-year veteran is still someone who brings value to an offense.

But his injury history and recent production are causing his free agent market to stall. There is interest, but not enough to the point where there are teams jumping the gun to sign him in the early goings of the offseason.

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