Browns and David Njoku agree on massive contract extension

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

Before the start of the 2022 league year, there was a common theme among some NFL teams, which was to place the franchise tag on their tight end to achieve a free hand. That Cleveland Browns were one of those teams when they gave David Njoku the franchise tag, giving both sides until July 15 to negotiate a new deal. They achieved this in over a month.

Corresponding NFL Networks Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, the Browns and Njoku agreed to a four-year, $56.75 million contract extension. Njoku is fully guaranteed at $28 million and will now be the fifth highest-paid tight end in the NFL.

Browns and David Njoku agree huge contract extension

Had Cleveland and Njoku not reached an agreement by the deadline, he would have been paid $10.9 million for the upcoming season.

The Browns used the 29th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft for Njoku, who played for the Miami Hurricanes football program. Njoku had a breakthrough sophomore season with the Browns in 2018 when he hit 56 of 88 goals 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 who got the franchise tag this offseason and are looking for a new deal include the Dallas Cowboys’ Dalton Schultz and the Miami Dolphins’ Mike Gesicki.

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