David Njoku confirmed his departure from the Cleveland Browns after spending nine seasons with the team from 2017 to 2025. As he approaches free agency, Njoku took to Instagram to share that
“the time for [him] to find a new home has come.”
Last season, Njoku recorded 33 receptions for 293 yards and four touchdowns across 12 games but missed five games due to a knee injury.
Selected by Cleveland as the 29th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft from Miami, Njoku emerged as a key player for the Browns. His standout 2023 season earned him a Pro Bowl nod, during which he achieved career highs with 81 receptions, 882 receiving yards, and six touchdowns. Over his tenure with the Browns, Njoku ranks third in franchise history for receptions (384), sixth in touchdowns (34), and twelfth in receiving yards (4,062).
Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce Considering Another Season
While no final decision has been made public, speculation grows regarding veteran tight end Travis Kelce’s potential return for a 14th season with the Kansas City Chiefs. The 36-year-old posted 76 receptions for 851 yards and five touchdowns in the 2025 season, a year when the Chiefs finished 6-11, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014. Kelce holds an impressive resume featuring four All-Pro selections, eleven Pro Bowl appearances, and three Super Bowl victories in 2019, 2022, and 2023.
Los Angeles Rams Secure Long-Term Extensions for McVay and Snead
On February 2, the Los Angeles Rams announced multiyear contract extensions for head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead. Since McVay’s 2017 hiring—one year after the franchise’s return from St. Louis—the duo has steered the Rams to sustained success including a Super Bowl championship in 2022. The Rams’ record under their leadership stands at 92-57 in the regular season and 10-6 in the playoffs, with eight winning seasons, seven playoff appearances, and four NFC West titles during McVay’s nine-year tenure.
McVay expressed optimism about quarterback Matthew Stafford’s future with the team following his MVP-caliber 2025 campaign but stated the team will wait for Stafford to announce his decision. Additionally, McVay revealed the hiring of Bubba Ventrone as the new special teams coordinator, while the search for a replacement offensive coordinator continues after Mike LaFleur’s departure to become the Arizona Cardinals’ head coach.
Green Bay Packers Hire Jonathan Gannon as Defensive Coordinator
The Green Bay Packers appointed former Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon as their new defensive coordinator, replacing Jeff Hafley who left to become the Miami Dolphins’ head coach. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur praised Gannon’s background, stating,
“He possesses tremendous experience as an NFL coordinator and head coach. I am confident that he will be an outstanding addition to our organization, as well as a strong leader of our defense.”
Gannon’s tenure in Arizona ended abruptly following a 3-14 last season and an overall record of 15-36 over three years. Prior to his head coaching stint, he served as defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles for two seasons. Under his leadership in Philadelphia, the Eagles ranked second in total defense and secured an NFC championship, narrowly losing Super Bowl 57 to the Kansas City Chiefs. Green Bay’s defense ranked 12th in yards allowed per game and 11th in points allowed during the 2025 season but struggled after injuries to key players such as All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons and defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt.
Eagles Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio Contemplates Retirement
The Philadelphia Eagles faced uncertainty when defensive coordinator Vic Fangio considered retirement shortly after their season concluded. According to PhillyVoice, Fangio initially intended to step away but was convinced to return. Had Fangio retired, the Eagles were reportedly preparing to reach out to Jonathan Gannon and Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz as potential replacements.
Fangio, regarded as one of the NFL’s top defensive strategists, has helped maintain Philadelphia’s defense as one of the league’s best, ranking in the top five in scoring defense over the past two years. The Eagles also hired Sean Mannion, formerly a quarterbacks coach with the Packers, as their new offensive coordinator following the departure of Kevin Patullo.
Packers Extend Contracts of Key Leadership Figures
The Green Bay Packers recently extended the contracts of head coach Matt LaFleur, general manager Brian Gutekunst, and executive vice president/director of football operations Russ Ball, solidifying leadership roles for multiple years. Packers president and CEO Ed Policy emphasized the importance of this continuity, saying,
“We are excited to extend our commitment to Brian, Matt and Russ as the leaders of our football operations. Their steadfast dedication, passion and collaboration have remained constant in our drive to compete at the highest level.”
LaFleur, with a 76-40-1 regular-season record, has led the Packers to consistent playoff appearances in six of his seven seasons, including two NFC championship game runs in 2019 and 2020. Despite a disappointing end to the 2025 season marked by a five-game losing streak capped by a wild-card playoff loss to Chicago, the Packers remain focused on a return to championship contention.
Falcons Plan to Release Veteran Quarterback Kirk Cousins
The Atlanta Falcons are expected to release veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, though there is potential for the team to re-sign him on a reduced salary. Cousins, who joined the Falcons on a four-year, $180 million contract in the 2024 offseason after recovering from an Achilles injury, began his tenure with promise but was eventually benched late in the 2024 season in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr., the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Penix started the 2025 season as Atlanta’s quarterback but suffered a season-ending ACL tear in November, leading Cousins to start eight games. Cousins completed 61.7% of his passes for 1,721 yards with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions, achieving an 84.8 passer rating. The Falcons posted a 5-3 record in games he started, but the team’s new leadership under Matt Ryan in football operations and head coach Kevin Stefanski remains uncertain about Cousins’ future role.
Final Remarks on NFL Offseason Movements and Impact
The NFL offseason is already shaping up as a turbulent and transformative period, with teams making critical decisions on roster construction ahead of the 2026 league year. David Njoku’s decision to leave the Browns marks the end of a significant chapter in Cleveland’s recent history and opens new possibilities for both the player and the franchise. Coaching and personnel shifts, including contract extensions for established leaders like Sean McVay and Matt LaFleur, alongside fresh appointments such as Jonathan Gannon in Green Bay, reflect the constant evolution and strategic recalibration within the league.
As teams navigate injuries, player movements, and leadership changes, the 2026 NFL season promises to be fiercely competitive and unpredictable. Fans and analysts alike will be closely monitoring these developments, which will undoubtedly influence team dynamics and on-field performances in the months ahead.
Impending free agent David Njoku writes in an Instagram post that “the time for me to find a new home has come.”
Njoku’s contract is set to void on March 12, one day after the new league year begins. Njoku, who has played the entirety of his career in Cleveland, previously… pic.twitter.com/njkDc7yPzB
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) February 10, 2026
