Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku fired his agent.
While this would normally not be top news of the day, in Njoku’s case, this agent switcheroo is intriguing.
Njoku fired Drew Rosenhaus whom he hired in summer of 2020.
He is returning to his former agent Malki Kawa whom he fired in 2020 to hire Rosenhaus.
#Browns TE David Njoku no longer represented by agent Drew Rosenhaus, returning to former agent Malki Kawa of First Round Management.
Kawa said "After being told and promised certain things, all of which weren't true, my boy David Njoku decided he has had enough and came home."
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) August 14, 2021
What We Know
Njoku seemed discontent with the Browns in the summer of 2020 after the team signed free agent tight end Austin Hooper.
He fired Kawa and hired Rosenhaus.
Tight end David Njoku has requested a trade from the Browns, per @AdamSchefter.
His agent Drew Rosenhaus told the team they want a trade before training camp. pic.twitter.com/jJgeO2UXpE
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 3, 2020
Rosenhaus immediately began demanding that Njoku be traded before the 2020 season kicked off.
Obviously, that never happened.
There was also a period of uncertainty with Njoku this winter, but once he went all-in with the Browns, he has not looked back.
In an interview with Jim Rome, #Browns David Njoku declined to answer a question on if he was in a good spot with the team pic.twitter.com/GQQR4Aa5ia
— MoreForYouCleveland (@MoreForYou_CLE) February 6, 2021
Kawa did not hold back in his comments, apparently directed at Rosenhaus, when asked about being rehired.
#Browns TE David Njoku no longer represented by agent Drew Rosenhaus, returning to former agent Malki Kawa of First Round Management.
Kawa said "After being told and promised certain things, all of which weren't true, my boy David Njoku decided he has had enough and came home."
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) August 14, 2021
Njoku In 2021
David Njoku could have a huge year with the Browns.
He has done well at training camp though he always had a good connection with Baker Mayfield.
Njoku also went to “Camp Mayfield” in Austin over the summer which resulted in a lot of team building, throwing, and working out with his fellow Browns offensive players.
The Browns seemed to have weathered the storm with tight end David Njoku, who requested a trade last summer. I'm told per source that Njoku is in a good place with the franchise.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 24, 2021
The 25-year-old is in his fifth and final year with the Browns so he is another player, at the end of his rookie contract (valued at $9.5 million), who could see a big payday.
The Browns And Njoku
Despite all the noise in the past year, the Browns have not waivered.
They want Njoku on the roster.
#Browns coach Kevin Stefanski on tight end David Njoku perhaps not wanting to be in Cleveland: David's somebody I respect and value, as it relates to him in particular, I'm not aware of that (him not wanting to be with team)
— Nate Ulrich (@ByNateUlrich) March 2, 2021
His 2021 salary was fully guaranteed in March.
TE David Njoku remains on the Browns roster, meaning his $6.013 million salary for 2021 is now fully guaranteed https://t.co/9A5KVDjlyG
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) March 17, 2021
Who knows what will happen with Njoku after the 2021 season?
He is poised to have a great year; Browns fans hope that he does.
I don’t think changing agents matters. David Njoku is going to CASH IN next off-season. Highly doubt it will be in CLE. 🤷♂️
— Ryan (@ryinohio) August 14, 2021
After the Browns win a lot of games in 2021, GM Andrew Berry can figure out how to handle Njoku and other potential free agents.
In the meantime, let’s focus on the Browns doing a lot of winning in 2021.
NEXT: Browns First Roster Cuts Due On Tuesday
