Detroit Lions fans are well aware that addressing the tight end room will be one of general manager Brad Holmes' top priorities this offseason. Sam LaPorta is coming off a season-ending back injury, and Shane Zylstra and Anthony Firkser will become free agents next month, likely leaving the Lions looking for TE-related help when the legal free-agent tampering begins on March 9.
It isn't too early to think about who potential targets for Holmes & Co. could be, and it's possible David Njoku could find his way into their crosshairs. The veteran TE announced on Monday that he'll be leaving the Cleveland Browns — a team he's spent his entire nine-year career with — when free agency begins.
"The time for me to find a new home has come, and all I can think of is just the gratefulness in my heart, " Njoku concluded in his heartfelt letter.
Browns fans are likely disappointed in this offseason development, but those around the Motor City should be excited. While nothing is guaranteed, Njoku's decision to leave the Browns presents the Lions with the opportunity to roster one of the best TE rooms in the NFL.
Lions' Must Have David Njoku on Their Offseason Radar
As unfortunate as it was to see LaPorta's season end due to injury, all signs point to the tight end making a full recovery this offseason. Assuming he doesn't face any setbacks, it's hard not to like the idea of a healthy LaPorta-Njoku tandem being at quarterback Jared Goff's disposal.
A one-time Pro Bowl selection, Njoku has been a steady force for the Browns, turning 588 targets into 384 catches for 4,062 receiving yards and 34 touchdowns in 118 games. Injuries have forced him to miss time in every season since 2019, yet he's still managed to be productive, as shown by his three 500-yard, four-TD performances in the past four seasons.
Njoku's production took a hit during a banged-up 2025 season, but he still produced a 33-293-4 stat line. Although that was far from his best performance, it was still better than what the TE trio of Zylstra, Firkser, and Brock Wright did combined (25-181-2). Instantly, he'd make the Lions' tight end depth look much better.
That's without even mentioning new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing's affinity for focusing on tight ends.
He was known for running multi-TE sets with the Arizona Cardinals, and often uses play-action calls to get the most out of the position. Petzing's presence was also a huge reason why Cardinals TE Trey McBride was first-team All-Pro in 2025, having amassed 126 catches for 1,239 yards and 11 TDs — all career-high marks.
Having a similar impact on LaPorta while helping revive Njoku's career could take the Lions' offense to new heights.
Signing Njoku Might Not Break Lions' Bank, Either
As with any potential free-agent signing, it's natural to wonder if the Lions can afford someone like Njoku. Detroit's financial situation isn't ideal, as OverTheCap lists the franchise as being around $8.5 million over the 2026 salary cap. Meanwhile, Spotrac has Njoku projected at a $10 million.
That's a steep price, no doubt, but it's also fair to say that it might be an unrealistic digit. After all, OTC has Njoku's valuation for his 2025 performance sitting at $5.1 million, which is a more palatable price for the Lions' front office. It also isn't unrealistic to think he could be signed for a lower price than that, given that he'll open training camp at 30 years old after missing 11 games over the last two seasons.
If there are any lingering concerns, the Lions can even load Njoku's contract up with incentives to motivate him to return to form. That might be the motivation he needs to return to his Pro Bowl self, and combining that version with a healthy LaPorta would be enough to scare even the most imposing defenses. It might even open up the middle of the field for Isaac TeSlaa to make a huge Year 2 leap.
Whether it's as a play-making threat or LaPorta insurance, the 29-year-old TE's sudden availability is something that Detroit can't ignore, especially after missing the 2025 postseason. That makes Njoku a player the Lions must have on their radar as hype around NFL free agency ramps up.