David Njoku teases 'juicy' Browns offense led by new OC Ken Dorsey: 'I'm really excited for this year'

Fresh off a career year in Cleveland, David Njoku can’t help but look forward to what’s next.

The Browns tight end told Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal at his annual softball event on Saturday that he’s looking to “just be better than last year,” which will be hard to top.

In 2023, Njoku had the best season of his career with the Browns, who were headed for the playoffs. He topped the team with 81 catches from 123 targets, 882 receiving yards, and six touchdowns, even while playing with five different starting quarterbacks. His outstanding performance earned him his first ever Pro Bowl selection.

In 2024, Njoku will have to adjust. Deshaun Watson is returning to the fold as Cleveland’s starting QB after two suspension- and injury-tainted seasons; fellow former first-round pass catcher Jerry Jeudy is joining a stacked WR corps already boasting Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore; and after four seasons with Alex Van Pelt, Cleveland will have a new offensive coordinator: Ken Dorsey.

Njoku will be working with Dorsey as his fifth OC in his eight seasons with the Browns. However, the 27-year-old tight end is optimistic about this recent shift.

“Dorsey’s offense is juicy,” stated Njoku. “I won’t elaborate further, just leave it at that. However, I’m truly thrilled about this year.”

Dorsey most recently spent five seasons with the Buffalo Bills, serving the final two as their offensive coordinator. He was fired midseason in 2023 after Buffalo got off to a 5-5 start. The Browns surely hope Dorsey’s history coaching Cam Newton and Josh Allen will translate into improving Watson’s game and growing a passing game that ranked 19th in 2023.

In Dorsey’s lone full season as Bills OC, Buffalo ranked second in yards, points and first downs; when he left in 2023, they ranked seventh and eighth, respectively, but struggled with turnovers. Dawson Knox didn’t have a particularly juicy season as the Bills’ starting TE (Njoku’s role with the Browns) in 2022, but he did earn his lone Pro Bowl bid under Dorsey, totaling 517 yards and six TDs on 48 catches.

Maybe this predicts good things for Njoku. After a shaky start to his career in Cleveland, he’s now fulfilling his first-round expectations and reciprocating the love the city has shown him.

“Njoku expressed his deep appreciation for Cleveland, saying, “I am tremendously grateful for this city. My journey to manhood here has been complex and profound. It goes beyond just these words. Do you understand? So, yes, I consider myself fortunate. I am truly blessed to be here.”

On Tuesday, Njoku and the Browns will start their mandatory minicamp.