Former (?) Browns TE David Njoku.

For most of the past season, in Joe’s mind, there was only one hole in the roster on offense. And before Bucky Irving went… somewhere and Rachaad White shat all over the carpet of One Buc Palace on his way out the door, Joe for most of the year figured drafting a tight end in the first round wouldn’t be such a silly move.

Now to be fair to Bucs tight end Cade Otton, it’s very possible that Otton wasn’t used right by former Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard.

The rare times Grizzard did use Otton in the passing game, Otton made/caused/was victimized by ghastly turnovers.

Horrid turnovers in road losses to the Lions and Rams were Exhibits Nos. A and B.

Otton, certainly last year, was a non-factor on offense and perhaps a liability in the passing game.

Until the final game of the season in a win over Carolina. He scored the Bucs’ first touchdown in a 16-14 win on an 18-yard pass from Baker Mayfield.

When Otton caught that pass, Joe thought to himself, “Where was that all season?”

Maybe Otton, an expected free agent next month, would be used differently by new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson?

Still, Joe is very much open-minded to an upgrade at tight end. So much so that Joe is not against the Bucs selecting Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq in the first round (though Baylor’s Michael Trigg might be better value on Day 2 of the draft).

In Joe’s eyes, the Bucs need a weapon in the passing game from the tight end spot. Otton really isn’t that — but did he demonstrate last month he could be against Carolina?

That’s why last night Joe was intrigued when he learned veteran Browns free agent-to-be tight end David Njoku announced he’s done in Cleveland.

Now Joe doesn’t get to watch too many Browns games. The last game Joe can remember watching the Browns — and why would anyone in their right mind want to watch the Browns? — was the America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston snowglobe game in 2024 when Jameis pulled out a win over the Steelers on Thursday Night Football.

Joe always thought Njoku was a solid tight end. So when Joe read Njoku has waved goodbye to Cleveland, Joe wondered if he would be a fit for the Bucs? Hey, he used to catch passes from Baker Mayfield.

The first thing that jumped out at Joe is that Njoku is 29. Uh, oh. Then, Joe looked at his numbers from last year. Otton had far better numbers except for touchdowns (Njoku had four to Otton’s one).

As so often happens with older veterans, the name is bigger than the numbers.

So, no, the answer for the Bucs at tight end does not lie at the feet of Njoku.

Tight end David Njoku, who is scheduled to be a free agent, announced that he will not return to the Browns in 2026. pic.twitter.com/fvlCJ29QnU

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 10, 2026