Njoku unsure of Browns return if Kitchens stays

David Njoku isn't certain he has a future with the Cleveland Browns if Freddie Kitchens returns as head coach in 2020.

"That's a good question," the tight end told Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com. "I don't want to answer that yet. I'm not sure, so no comment."

Njoku, the 29th pick of the 2017 NFL Draft, has endured a massively disappointing season, catching just five passes for 41 yards and one touchdown. He's been a healthy scratch the last two weeks after missing a chunk of the season with a broken wrist.

"I'm really doing everything I'm doing now for my teammates at this point," he said. "Obviously it's been a roller-coaster and at this point in my life with where I'm at, I'm just doing everything for the guys that I play with."

Njoku had 56 receptions for 639 yards and four scores a year ago, making him a prime candidate for a breakout in his third pro campaign. The 23-year-old was expected to play a key role in Kitchens' offense, especially in the red zone, where the Browns have struggled all year.

"I didn't come back from a wrist injury this fast to sit on the sideline," Njoku said. "It hurts my heart. I've got to say, this is not what I saw coming, but at the end of the day, it is what it is. I've got to keep moving from there."

The Browns will have to decide this offseason whether to exercise or decline the fifth-year option on Njoku's rookie contract.

Njoku was one of three first-round selections by Cleveland in 2017, along with No. 1 pick Myles Garrett and No. 25 pick Jabrill Peppers.

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