Browns GM Andrew Berry Spoke About Picking up David Njoku's Option and We Still Don't Get it

The Cleveland Browns surprised a lot of observers when it was first reported that they exercised the fifth-year option on tight end David Njoku's contract, keeping him on the books through the 2021 season.

First-year general manager Andrew Berry has now opened up about the decision to keep Njoku around in an appearance with NFL insider Ian Rapoport, and... it still doesn't make sense.

Berry and the Browns have every right to "feel optimistic" about Njoku, but let's be clear: He's simply going to struggle to see targets in the passing game in 2019.

The former No. 29 overall pick looked like Cleveland's tight end of the future following a breakout campaign in 2018 during which he recorded 56 receptions for 639 yards and four touchdowns, but since then, Njoku's stock has fallen. He suffered a broken wrist last season and endured a falling out with then-head coach Freddie Kitchens, who made him a healthy scratch when he was ready to return.

Though Kitchens was fired after the 2019 season, the former Miami Hurricane's future with the franchise somehow became even more cloudy, as the Browns signed Austin Hooper to a four-year, $42 million contract in free agency and went on to use a fourth-round pick on FAU tight end Harrison Bryant, who racked up 1,004 receiving yards last season.

It doesn't take an NFL executive to say that it makes no sense for Cleveland to hold on to a player that figures to play a limited role, at best, in 2020. Cashing in on Njoku via trade instead of retaining him for two more seasons still seems like the wiser move regardless of Berry's attempt to justify the decision to pick up his 2021 team option.