The Los Angeles Chargers have just signed veteran TE David Njoku to a 1-year contract worth up to $8 million with incentives, according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
TE David Njoku
Drafted in the first round (29th) overall back in the 2017 NFL Draft, the 1x Pro Bowler has spent the entirety of his nine-year career with the Cleveland Browns.
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The 6’4 246lb player was the primary tight end for the Browns, racking up career totals of 384 rec, 4062 receiving yards, and 34 TD’s.
Njoku ranks 3rd and 6th all-time in career receptions and touchdowns, respectively, for the Cleveland Browns.
Injuries this season and the emergence of rookie TE Harold Fannin Jr. forced him to part ways with Cleveland.
David Njoku joins a Chargers tight end group led by second-year TE Oronde Gadsden II and TE Charlie Kolar, who was signed to a 3-year $24.2 million deal.
Role Within the Chargers Offense
After coming away without a tight end from the NFL draft last month, the Chargers were seeking to fill out the position group, opting to invite Njoku for a visit late last week.
David Njoku is a perfect blend, filling both roles of a receiver and run blocker, providing the Chargers with a starting-caliber option at tight end.
It also provides great depth for the position, as Gadsden primarily profiles as a receiving TE, while Kolar is a phenomenal blocker with receiving upside shown through his days at Iowa State.
These Chargers will likely have a committee approach with the TEs, using them in various personnel groupings.
In 2025, the Miami Dolphins offense, which McDaniel was previously the head coach of, ran 21 personnel (2 RB, 1 TE, and 2 WR’s) at a 24.7% clip, which ranked second in the NFL. McDaniel also called12 personnel (1 RB, 2 TE’s, and 2 WR’s) plays at just over 10%.
While David Njoku had a down year in 2025, grading out as the 36th-best TE out of 37, with a 55.9 PFF grade, injuries hampered him all season. He dealt with multiple knee injuries that caused him to miss 5 games.
Entering his age-30 season, Njoku is betting on himself by signing what’s essentially a prove-it deal. The Chargers, on the other hand, sign a short-term player with immense upside, especially within a high-octane Mike McDaniel offense.
OC Mike McDaniel’s History With Free Agent TE’s
Two notable free-agent TEs who joined current Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, while he was the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, were Jonnu Smith and Darren Waller.
Smith (6’3, 248lb) enjoyed a career year in Miami, tallying 88 rec, 884 receiving yards and 8 TD’s, en route to his first Pro Bowl nod in 2024.
Waller (6’6, 238lb), on the other hand, came out of retirement in 2025, after a brief rapping saga. Even in a limited role, Waller was able to showcase his ability, especially in the red zone. In nine games, Waller had 24 rec, 283, and 6 TD’s
It’s a testament to how McDaniel is able to maximize a player’s value by tapping into their skill sets, using them with purpose in a creative scheme. David Njoku should be no different, as McDaniel undoubtedly has a plan and role for him within this offense.
With all the skill positions players around him and Mike McDaniel overseeing the offense, this should be the year QB Justin Herbert is able to put it all together, as he and the Chargers push for the franchise’s first Super Bowl win.