Chargers, Browns Connected In Blockbuster Trade

Chargers, Browns Linked In David Njoku Trade Rumors

It’s easy to see why the Los Angeles Chargers would want to trade for David Njoku. After making the playoffs in what most believed to be a rebuild year, head coach Jim Harbaugh and quarterback Justin Herbert have the Chargers ready to compete for a Super Bowl. The team spent the offseason bolstering the trenches and getting more physical, notably adding guard Mekhi Becton, running back Najee Harris, and several key contributors on defense. However, they didn’t do all that much to upgrade the passing attack.

Second-round pick Ladd McConkey looked like the real deal as a rookie, but the rest of the depth chart leaves something to be desired. Quentin Johnston is nothing special, Mike Williams is coming off a rough 2024, and second-round rookie Tre Harris is untested. These three, combined with the aforementioned tight end duo, means Herbert will struggle to go blow-for-blow with the elite passing attacks in the AFC. Harbaugh wants to win games on the ground, but they need another weapon to improve their aerial attack.

Because of this, a David Njoku trade makes all the sense in the world. Tight ends thrive under Harbaugh, and Herbert hasn’t had a truly reliable weapon in years. The only question is whether the Browns would agree to such a low return. While Njoku is in the final year of his contract and the Browns will not compete in 2025, they might prefer to keep the tight end on the roster.

Third-round pick Dillon Gabriel and fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders will fight for the starting job, and having a reliable tight end on the roster could help one of these two players develop into a franchise quarterback. That alone justifies keeping David Njoku, even if they risk losing him in the upcoming offseason.