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The Los Angeles Chargers added another experienced weapon for franchise quarterback Justin Herbert on Monday, agreeing to a one-year contract with veteran tight end David Njoku.
According to reports, the deal could be worth up to $8 million.
Njoku arrives in Los Angeles after spending the first nine seasons of his career with the Cleveland Browns, where he developed into one of the franchise’s most productive tight ends. The former first-round pick ranks second in Browns history among tight ends in both receptions and touchdown catches, trailing only Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome.
Chargers add Another Weapon for Justin Herbert
The Chargers continue building around Herbert as they reshape their offense heading into the 2026 season. Njoku joins a tight end room led by rising second-year pass catcher Oronde Gadsden II and veteran blocking specialist Charlie Kolar.
Njoku gives first-year offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel another versatile option capable of creating mismatches in multi-tight end formations.
At his best, Njoku remains one of the league’s more athletic tight ends. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 2023 after posting career highs with 81 receptions, 882 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
Over his nine-year career, Njoku has totaled 384 catches for 4,062 yards and 34 touchdowns.
Injuries Slowed Njoku Over the Last Two Seasons
While Njoku remained productive in Cleveland, injuries impacted his availability over the past two years. He missed 11 games combined during the 2024 and 2025 seasons and finished last year with 33 catches for 293 yards and four touchdowns.
Still, the Chargers appear confident the 29-year-old can contribute immediately in an offense looking for more dependable targets behind Herbert.
Njoku’s arrival also reflects the NFL’s growing emphasis on utilizing multiple tight end sets, especially for offenses seeking more flexibility both as pass catchers and blockers.
The former Miami Hurricanes football standout now gets a fresh start in the AFC West after closing the door on a return to Cleveland earlier this offseason.
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