The Browns will use their franchise tag on Njoku, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Cleveland will make the transaction official before Tuesday's 4:00 p.m. ET deadline. Njoku thus appears on track to remain with the Browns for the 2022 campaign while carrying just under an $11 million salary, which gives both sides more time to negotiate a potential long-term deal. The 25-year-old tight end now has five seasons of NFL experience under his belt, and though he hasn't yet emerged as a consistent, high-end starter, Njoku did make improvements in 2021. Through 16 appearances last season, he secured 36 of 53 targets for 475 yards and four touchdowns.