When the Kansas City Chiefs passed on a midseason trade for Breece Hall over a third-round pick, it felt like a missed opportunity. But the NFL has a way of offering second chances, and right now, one might be knocking again - this time in the form of tight end David Njoku.
Njoku recently posted what looked a lot like a farewell letter to Cleveland Browns fans, and if he hits the open market, he’s exactly the kind of player who could make life a whole lot easier for the Chiefs - whether as a running mate for Travis Kelce or as a potential heir to the throne if Kelce decides to call it a career.
Let’s be clear: Njoku isn’t some long-term fix or future franchise cornerstone. But for a team still very much in win-now mode, he checks a lot of boxes. He’s a veteran with eight years under his belt, two seasons removed from an 800-yard, six-touchdown campaign - and he put up those numbers in a Browns offense that’s been searching for stability at quarterback for what feels like forever.
Yes, his production dipped last season, but that had more to do with injuries and the emergence of Harold Fanning Jr. in Cleveland than any sign of decline. Njoku still has the tools: size, athleticism, and the kind of versatility that would give Andy Reid a whole new layer to play with.
Right now, the Chiefs’ tight end depth behind Kelce is more question mark than exclamation point. Noah Gray was supposed to be the No. 2, possibly even part of some two-tight-end looks, but that plan never really materialized.
He’s now on the roster bubble. Jared Wiley?
Still an unknown - more of a developmental piece than a plug-and-play contributor.
So if Kelce is back for one final ride - and that’s still a big “if” - pairing him with Njoku could be a savvy move. Both are veterans who know how to find soft spots in coverage, both can block when needed, and both still have enough juice to keep defenses honest. No, it’s not a long-term solution, but it’s the kind of short-term combo that could give Patrick Mahomes another reliable target and keep Kansas City’s offense humming.
And let’s not overlook the schematic upside here. Andy Reid has always been one of the league’s most creative minds, and adding another proven tight end could open the door to some intriguing two-tight-end sets - something we’ve seen more teams lean into recently.
Sean McVay in L.A. has even dabbled with three-tight-end looks. With Njoku and Kelce on the field together, Reid could get back to mixing and matching personnel in ways that keep defenses guessing.
There’s also a more practical benefit: protection. Mahomes is coming off knee surgery, and anything that helps keep him upright should be a priority.
Two-tight-end sets can offer more protection without sacrificing passing options. And if the Chiefs do bring in a more explosive back - whether through free agency or the draft - Njoku’s blocking could help open up running lanes, especially with Reid’s penchant for motion and misdirection.
Now, let’s talk money. Njoku’s projected market value is around two years, $20 million.
That’s not nothing, especially for a team that’s already tight on cap space. But the Chiefs have ways to create room - restructuring contracts, backloading deals, the usual cap gymnastics.
If they believe Njoku can be a difference-maker in a championship window, that price tag becomes a lot easier to justify.
This wouldn’t be about building for the future. It’d be about maximizing the present - giving Mahomes another weapon, giving Kelce a worthy running mate (or successor), and giving Reid the kind of chess piece that could help the Chiefs stay one step ahead.
In a league where windows can close fast, sometimes the obvious move is the right one. And if David Njoku becomes available, Kansas City would be wise to take a long, hard look.