Report: Browns, Njoku strike 4-year, $56.75M extension

The Cleveland Browns and tight end David Njoku reached an agreement on a four-year, $56.75-million extension that includes $28 million guaranteed, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.

Njoku's new $14.19-million average annual salary will rank fourth among tight ends, according to Spotrac.

The 25-year-old, who received the franchise tag in March, was set to earn $10.93 million under the tag in 2022. The two sides had until July 15 to ink a multi-year extension.

Njoku racked up 475 receiving yards in 2021 - his most since 2018 - to go along with 36 receptions and four touchdowns. He also averaged over 13 yards per catch for the first time in his career.

The Miami product ranked second on the Browns in targets among tight ends last year behind Austin Hooper, who signed with the Tennessee Titans this offseason after being released by Cleveland.

Njoku enters 2022 as the No. 1 tight end on Cleveland's new-look offense. The Browns, who ranked 20th in scoring in 2021, added several players to their offensive unit this year, including quarterback Deshaun Watson and wide receiver Amari Cooper.

Njoku previously set career highs with 56 catches and 639 yards in 2018. He's appeared in 65 games since the Browns selected him in the first round in 2017, catching a total of 148 passes for 1,754 yards and 15 touchdowns.