If the Bengals are serious about making a return to postseason football in 2026, the defensive side of the ball has to be priority No. 1.
That’s not up for debate. But that doesn’t mean Cincinnati can’t also make a splash on offense-and there’s a name on the market that could quietly turn this passing attack into something downright scary: David Njoku.
The veteran tight end is officially moving on from Cleveland after spending his entire career with the Browns. And while he’s coming off a down year statistically-just 293 yards and four touchdowns in 2025-Njoku still brings a skill set that would make him a dangerous addition to Joe Burrow’s arsenal.
Let’s rewind for a second. In 2023, Njoku put up career highs with 882 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
That’s not just solid production for a tight end-it’s top-tier. The guy is still a legitimate downfield threat, even as he heads into his age-30 season.
And when you think about what he could do in a Bengals offense that already features Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and a deep rotation of young wideouts, the possibilities get pretty exciting.
Right now, the Bengals have Mike Gesicki and Tanner Hudson under contract at tight end, with Noah Fant also contributing this past season. Fant played in 15 games and posted 288 yards and three scores-not bad, but not exactly game-changing either. Gesicki, meanwhile, often lined up more like a big slot receiver than a traditional tight end, creating mismatches but not always stretching the field.
Adding Njoku to that mix would be more than just depth-it would be a clear upgrade. He brings a combination of size, speed, and athleticism that demands attention from defenses. And when you pair that with Burrow’s ability to read coverages and deliver pinpoint throws, it’s not hard to imagine Njoku finding soft spots in zones or winning one-on-one matchups against linebackers and safeties.
This isn’t about taking targets away from Chase or Higgins. It’s about creating a complete offensive puzzle where every piece fits-and every defender has to pick their poison.
If the offensive line gives Burrow time, and he’s got Chase, Higgins, Gesicki, and Njoku all running routes? Good luck to any defensive coordinator trying to game plan for that.
Of course, this only works if the Bengals shore up their defense first. No one’s saying they should throw all their cap space at another pass-catcher while ignoring the glaring issues on the other side of the ball. But if Cincinnati can patch the holes on defense-and that’s a big “if”-then bringing Njoku down I-71 to the Queen City could be the kind of savvy move that helps push this offense over the top.
Bottom line: Njoku isn’t the same player he was a few years ago, but he doesn’t have to be. In the right system, with the right quarterback, and surrounded by elite talent, he could be the final piece in a Bengals offense that’s already built to do serious damage.