The Cleveland Browns had the first official franchise tag designation for the 2022 season, giving it to tight end David Njoku.
The former Miami Hurricane played 16 games last season and finished with 475 yards and four touchdowns.
Njoku is set to earn a fully-guaranteed $11 million next season based on the average of the top five cap hits for the position in 2021.
More importantly, it buys the Browns time to negotiate a long-term extension with the 25-year-old tight end.
Giving Njoku a long-term deal might not be wise, given criticisms regarding his inability to catch the football.
To which, this Twitter user puts things in perspective.
"David Njoku can't catch the ball. The Browns shouldn't sign him."
In David Njoku's rookie season, he had 6 drops.
In the last 3 years COMBINED, Njoku has 5 drops.
End the lies about TE1. pic.twitter.com/E8gxg8MZR6
— Nick Karns (@karnsies817) February 28, 2022
Nick Karns said, “‘David Njoku can’t catch the ball. The Browns shouldn’t sign him. In David Njoku’s rookie season, he had six drops. In the last three years COMBINED, Njoku has 5 drops. End the lies about TE1.”
Still, it’s the running game the Browns prioritize with Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb.
But they would need significant contributions from Njoku to help them return to the playoffs.
Meanwhile, other fans were quick to comment on how the tag on Njoku will affect fellow tight end Austin Hooper‘s future in Cleveland.
This tweet might have summed up his reaction regarding the news.
The Browns have franchise tagged TE David Njoku
Austin Hooper:pic.twitter.com/rK1e0kvnF9
— CleWest (@erjmanlasvegas) March 7, 2022
In 2020, Hooper signed a four-year, $44 million deal with the Browns that came with a $10 signing bonus.
However, the deal has a potential out before the 2023 season which either the Browns or Hooper will likely use to test free agency, especially if Njoku has a breakout year.
Opposition To Njoku Getting The Franchise Tag
While there are football fans who praised the move by the Browns, there are some who questioned the franchise tag designation to Njoku.
A $10.9M Franchise tag for David Njoku was NOT where I would have estimated his value 😳😳😳 https://t.co/NRVarXmGAS
— Greg Cover 1 🏈 (@GregTompsett) March 7, 2022
Meanwhile, it’s still difficult to see how the tag will boost his production for next season, especially with Hooper still around.
David Njoku getting tagged does not boost his fantasy stock for me.
Just don't see how production will magically appear because they gave him a little bit of money.
— Joey Carrion (@JoeyCarrionDFS) March 7, 2022
Therefore, it remains to be seen how the tight end situation in Cleveland will play out.
NEXT: Browns Make A Strong Statement About David Njoku