Main Photo: Jeff Lange Imagn Images

Browns, Panthers Linked In Massive Trade

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By David Latham | Last updated Jul 17, 2025 3:00 PM ET

Tight end David Njoku is entering the final season of his contract, and the rebuilding Cleveland Browns could trade their homegrown star as he enters his age-29 season. Selected in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, Njoku has become one of the league’s more reliable all-around tight ends. While he’s not on the level of guys like Brock Bowers or Trey McBride, he’s still a solid pass-catcher and blocker who finished the 2024 season with 64 receptions for 505 yards and five touchdowns in just 11 games.

While he is still a good player, the Browns may prioritize future draft picks over someone like Njoku, who is closer to the end of his career than the beginning. The Cleveland Browns could try to trade David Njoku, and Bleacher Report‘s Matt Holder believes the Carolina Panthers should be in the market for a new tight end.

“While the hope is Ja’Tavion Sanders grows in year two, he wasn’t the same after suffering a neck injury last season, catching just four passes for 40 yards in five games after getting hurt,” Holder writes. “So, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to add someone to the position group as an insurance policy at the least.”

Jun 12, 2025; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) catches a pass during mini camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Browns, Panthers Connected In David Njoku Trade Talks

As mentioned above, any interest the Panthers might have in a David Njoku trade will depend on how the team feels about Ja’Tavion Sanders. The fourth-round pick had a promising rookie season, finishing the year with 33 receptions for 342 yards and one touchdown. While he had his moments, he’s not a guaranteed success, and his work in the trenches leaves a lot to be desired.

The Carolina Panthers have several young, high-upside pass catchers in first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette, Jalen Coker, and Sanders himself. What they lack, however, is a proven veteran, as Adam Thielen showed signs of slowing down last year. David Njoku would be the perfect player to raise the floor for this group and support Bryce Young as the team chases a division title, but will the Browns agree to a trade?

Would the Browns Do This?

At first glance, the Browns have every reason to trade David Njoku for a decent return. As previously discussed, he’s entering the final year of his contract, and even if they do extend him, Cleveland probably won’t be ready to compete for the next few seasons, and Njoku will probably lose a step by then. Despite all this, the Browns could decide Njoku is worth keeping around.

Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders are currently battling for Cleveland’s starting job. While Pickett and Flacco are known commodities, Gabriel and Sanders offer the promise of the unknown. If the Browns believe David Njoku can help one of these two develop into a franchise quarterback, then they won’t trade him for anything less than a third-round pick, which is probably too much for a one-year rental.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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