Tight end David Njoku still has good vibes about the city of Cleveland and its people despite reports he demanded a trade earlier this month.
“I want to make something very clear. I love the city of Cleveland with all my heart,” Njoku tweeted Monday. “This game is filled with a lot of complications but don’t think for a second that I don’t love and appreciate Cleveland and all that it has done for me.”
I want to make something very clear. I love the city of Cleveland with all my heart. This game is filled with a lot of complications but don’t think for a second that I don’t love and appreciate Cleveland and all that it has done for me💯
— Chief David Njoku (@David_Njoku80) July 20, 2020
Perhaps Njoku’s tweet is a bit of damage control with rookies scheduled to report to the Browns’ practice facility Tuesday.
Quarterbacks and injured players are scheduled to report Thursday with the rest of the players set to arrive on July 28.
“We need to be heard. It’s not just ‘strap up and play football.'” Njoku tweeted. “There are politics in this game that people of the outside do not see.”
Njoku sent a follow-up tweet that read,” WE WANT TO PLAY.”
We need to be heard. It’s not just “strap up and play football.” There are politics in this game that people of the outside do not see.
— Chief David Njoku (@David_Njoku80) July 19, 2020
WE WANT TO PLAY
— Chief David Njoku (@David_Njoku80) July 19, 2020
Njoku, 24, has made a few cryptic Instagram posts about his future with the Browns since reports of his trade demand.
The former first-round pick out of Miami also responded to some of the backlash he’s received from fans on social media.
“Haha I love the hate it’s that 93 in the gas station for me,” Njoku wrote.
Haha I love the hate it’s that 93 in the gas station for me
— Chief David Njoku (@David_Njoku80) July 8, 2020
The Browns picked up Njoku’s fifth-year option, which means he will be on the team for the next two seasons unless he is granted a trade.
Spotrac.com shows Njoku is owed $1.76 million in 2020 and $6.01 million in 2021.
Njoku is among 18 of 32 players drafted in 2017 to have his fifth-year option picked up.
Browns management has not made any indications of a potential trade involving Njoku.
It’s unclear what kind of value the Browns could fetch in return if they decided to trade Njoku.
Njoku’s agent Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on July 3, “It is in David’s best interest to find a new team at this time.”
1/2 Browns’ TE David Njoku and his agent Drew Rosenhaus asked today for the team to trade him. The Browns told Njoku they would like to keep him, but Rosenhaus told them he’s intent on a trade. They want a trade before training camp.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 3, 2020
2/2 About David Njoku’s trade request today to the Browns, agent Drew Rosenhaus said: "It is in David's best interest to find a new team at this time."
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 3, 2020
In the offseason, the Browns signed two-time Pro Bowl tight end Austin Hooper to a four-year deal worth up to $42 million, with $23 million guaranteed.
Initially, Njoku tweeted his support of the Browns’ signing of Hooper.
However, Njoku has since deleted the following tweet:
Nahhhh man cmon I love competition. We’ll push each other and get better together🦾 https://t.co/nmAoz5cgl5
— Chief David Njoku (@David_Njoku80) March 16, 2020
The Browns also selected Florida Atlantic University tight end Harrison Bryant with the 115th overall pick of April’s NFL Draft.
New Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is known for using tighter base formations, meaning he could utilize Hooper, Njoku and Bryant this upcoming season.
Stefanski used multiple tight ends in 57% of his offensive plays a season ago as the offensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings, according to ESPN’s Jake Trotter.
Keep in mind, Kevin Stefanski used multiple TEs 57% of the time last year, highest rate in the NFL. Should the Browns jettison Njoku, TE is going to be a position to watch, even with Austin Hooper and 4th round pick Harrison Bryant on board
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) July 3, 2020
In 2019, Njoku played in only four games mainly because of a wrist injury, catching five passes on 10 targets for 41 yards and a touchdown.
Njoku was a healthy scratch in the Week 15 loss to the Arizona Cardinals and in the Week 16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
In 2018, Njoku played 16 games, catching 56 passes on 88 targets for 639 yards and four scores.
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