Cleveland Browns: Who’s left behind starter Austin Hooper if David Njoku is traded?
By Josh Brown
If David Njoku goes, who’s behind Austin Hooper for the Cleveland Browns?
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku has made it abundantly clear via his agent he wants out of Cleveland. Apparently, this has been the case for nearly a year now, according to multiple reports.
While most want to point to the signing of Austin Hooper and drafting of Harrison Bryant this past offseason, this runs much deeper for Njoku. Maybe it is a multitude of coaches and instability?
Perhaps he just thinks he is better in another system. The system one makes little sense when it comes to Kevin Stefanski as the head coach, but Njoku has stated it is better if he leaves. In the end, this is just selfish, and the Browns don’t need this in the locker room as they try to turn around this franchise. It also makes little sense as Njoku has the chance to have a breakout year in Stefanski’s offense.
Leaving this system makes little sense.
Last season with the Vikings, Kevin Stefanski used multiple tight ends 57 percent of the time per ESPN. The coach uses multiple tight ends nearly 60 percent of the time, and a tight end does not want to be in this offense? Why could that be the case? Targets, maybe?
According to Pro Football Reference, Vikings tight ends were targeted 100 times in 2019, a low number considering the extensive use of tight ends in the offense. Could it be Njoku or his agent saw the target total from last season and thought, there is no way to make money here, all they want is for tight ends to block?
Maybe, but the reports said it had been a year in the making. Only need one name to explain that one, Freddie Kitchens. Should the Browns give in to Njoku’s demand and move him. What is left behind starter Austin Hooper?