Chargers make perfect free agent addition to capitalize on intriguing offensive trend spreading around NFL
Los Angeles added veteran tight end David Njoku, a former first-round pick who’s been in the league for almost a full decade. He enters an exciting TE room.
The Los Angeles Chargers want more weapons around Justin Herbert. Early on Monday, the team agreed to terms on a contract with veteran tight end David Njoku, and that’s a perfect addition for the Chargers to follow an intriguing offensive trend around the NFL. It’s a one-year deal, worth up to $8 million.
Over the past few years, offenses have been much more willing to play with 12 and 13 personnel, and that means multiple tight ends on the field at once. The Chargers had an excellent season from rookie Oronde Gadsden II last year, and they had also added blocking tight end Charlie Kolar in free agency.
With Njoku in the mix, new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel will have several options to vary personnel and to create mismatches, making Justin Herbert’s life much easier.
David Njoku numbers in 2025
It was his final season for the Browns
- 293 receiving yards
- 8.9 yards per reception
- 55.7% of snaps in-line
- 1.06 yards per route run
- 5.9 average depth of target
- 99.3 passer rating when targeted
What David Njoku is at this point
Njoku was a first-round pick back in 2017. However, while he’s been in the NFL for almost a full decade, he entered the league so young that he’s not 30 yet — he will be 30 by Week 1. A 6-4, 246-pound offensive weapon, Njoku probably didn’t live up to his draft status, but has been a solid player.
His best season came in 2023, with 81 catches for 882 yards, and six touchdowns. Last year, playing 12 games, Njoku had 33 catches for 293 yards, and four TDs. Hopefully for Njoku and the Chargers, the upgrade at quarterback could make him a more productive target.
In Cleveland, he played with a sad combination of DeShone Kizer, Kevin Hogan, Tyrod Taylor, Baker Mayfield, Case Keenum, Nick Mullens, Jacoby Brissett, Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, PJ Walker, Jeff Driskel, Jameis Winston, Bailey Zappe, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders. That’s quite a list.
Chargers’ tight end room
Besides Gadsden, Kolar, and now Njoku, the Chargers also have some developmental options at tight end. Tanner Mclachlan and Thomas Yassmin are practice squad holdovers, while Jerand Bradley and Evan Svoboda are undrafted rookies.