Commanders have new free agent target this offseason after announcing he’s hitting market, but he comes with risk
The Commanders have a new target this offseason with TE David Njoku announcing that he won’t be returning to the Browns as a free agent.
The Washington Commanders are heading into the offseason with many tough decisions to make, and time is already flying by.
The NFL free agency period is just a month away, and the Commanders will have to exhaust all options in rebuilding the roster. They have plenty of salary cap space this offseason, but also have the most free agents in the NFL.
It’s already been noted that the Commanders will be looking to add another tight end this offseason, and now they can add another option to their list.
TE David Njoku announces he won’t return to the Browns this offseason
The NFL free agency legal tampering window opens on March 9th, and one soon-to-be free agent has already announced that he’s hitting the market. Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku announced on social media that he’s officially looking for a new home this offseason after spending nine seasons with the Browns.
“The time for me to find a new home has come,” Njoku says. “And all I can think of is just the gratefulness in my heart. The city of Cleveland will forever be my home.”
Now, Njoku is looking for a new home, but should it be in Washington? The addition of Njoku will be enticing for the Commanders, but he does come with a price and a risk.
Should the Commanders sign David Njoku?
The Commanders absolutely need talent this offseason, and Njoku can play, but he’s been on a decline over the last two seasons. Njoku was a top tight end in 2023 with 882 yards and six touchdowns, but injuries set him back in 2024.
Unfortunately, those injuries carried over to 2025, and rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. took over as the starting option. Njoku played 1,021 snaps in 2023, but then only played 590 and 515 snaps over the last two seasons. He suffered a right knee strain in October of 2024, and it persisted in December of 2024, October of 2025, and December of 2025.
Njoku will turn 30 before the 2026 season, and he needs a bounce-back season at this point in his career to prove he can still be effective. Spotrac has a $10 million evaluation for him this offseason, so the Commanders can sign him to a two-year deal for $20 million, but with an out after the first season if things don’t go well.
The Commanders will have many options at tight end this offseason between Kyle Pitts, Isaiah Likely, and Dallas Goedert, and now David Njoku will be throwing his name in the ring as a target. They need to take swings this offseason, but also with a safe approach so they aren’t taking on a financial risk if things don’t go well.
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