Cleveland Browns rumors: Bears eyeing David Njoku trade

Cleveland Browns rumors have the Bears interested in a trade for David Njoku.

ESPN’s Josina Andersron confirmed a report over the weekend that the Cleveland Browns plan to move forward with David Njoku on the roster, but added an interesting nugget: The Chicago Bears are monitoring the situation.

The Browns have known for about a year that Njoku’s hasn’t been happy, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, and the tight end’s trade request comes at a time when the organization spent the offseason loading up at the position by signing top-shelf free agent Austin Hooper and then drafting Florida Atlantic product Hunter Bryant.

Under the notion Kevin Stefanski will rejuvenate the offense with the zone blocking scheme and multiple tight end sets, Njoku looked like a candidate to have a strong comeback season. The organization even gave him a vote of confidence, picking up his fifth-year option, which will pay him just over $6 million in 2021.

It still seems crazy that Njoku has requested a trade, but new agent Drew Rosenhaus doesn’t want to waste any time. Njoku will hit free agency after his age 25 season and he needs to create some buzz around his stock.

From the 10,000-foot view perspective, one could argue Njoku may be worried about the lack of touches that could come in a Cleveland offense, that despite going 6-10 a season ago, possesses numerous weapon in the form of OBJ, Jarvis Landry, Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt and now Hooper.

The rumor that the Njoku might only fetch a fourth- or fifth-round pick only speaks to the Browns need to keep the Miami product. Dealing him will mean another failed first-round pick, and the second from the 2017 draft. Jabrill Peppers, drafted just ahead of Njoku, was shipped to the Giants in the deal that brought Beckham to Cleveland.

Despite all the rumors, Fowler’s report and Anderson’s confirmation only seem to confirm that Njoku will be a Brown in 2020, unless, Cleveland gets an offer it can’t refuse.