The New England Patriots face the Cleveland Browns in AFC play on Sunday.
Former Browns head coach Bill Belichick, now with the Patriots, met with the media Wednesday ahead of the game. Calling the Browns “well-coached” and its defense “fast,” Belichick singled out opposing tight end David Njoku for particular praise.
Bill Belichick just said this of David Njoku:
"After Ozzie [Newsome], probably the best tight end the Browns have ever had."
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) October 12, 2022
“Bill Belichick just said this of David Njoku: ‘After Ozzie [Newsome], probably the best tight end the Browns have ever had,'” Andrew Siciliano tweeted.
Whether Belichick honestly thinks this or is engaging in pregame gamesmanship is open for interpretation. The NFL inducted Newsome into its Hall of Fame in 1999. He finished his career with 662 receptions for 7,980 yards and 47 touchdowns. He played 13 seasons with the Browns.
The Browns drafted Njoku, then a product of the Miami Hurricanes, with the 29th overall pick in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. After his lobbying to be traded earlier in the year, the Browns placed the franchise tag on Njoku in March. Two months later, Njoku signed a four-year, $56.75 million extension.
On the 2022 campaign, Njoku has compiled 24 receptions for 289 yards and a touchdown.
The Patriots beat the Browns, 45-21, in the two teams’ last meeting in November 2021. The Browns are favored by 3.5 points entering Sunday’s contest.
