The Los Angeles Chargers made what is likely to be their final major addition of the offseason on Monday, inking tight end David Njoku to a one-year, $8 million deal.
His addition not only represents the final piece of their offense, but an important complement alongside Oronde Gadsden II and Charlie Kolar. While Gadsden has significant pass-catching upside, his deficits as a blocker will make it necessary to temper his snaps with Kolar's, who will immediately be one of the most important blocking presences on the team. Njoku, therefore, will serve as a solid middle ground between the two tight ends as a capable pass-catcher and in-line blocker.
At Chargers voluntary workouts on Tuesday, Kolar was asked about the addition of Njoku, and his positive sentiments spotlight exactly what the veteran tight end brings to the team:
Chargers TE Charlie Kolar on the team signing David Njoku: "Rising tide rises all ships."
— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) May 11, 2026
"So much respect for David...Saw him play in Cleveland for four years, really good player, nice to have a another veteran presence in the room. It's a young room, ton of respect for… pic.twitter.com/bc4l96BZun
While Njoku's presence could strip some snaps away from both Kolar and Gadsden, his presence in the tight end room should grant Mike McDaniel an optionality that will raise the ceiling of the offense as a whole.
David Njoku is the final piece of the offensive puzzle for the Chargers
Granted, Njoku might not be what he once was as a pass-catcher. His targets and his total receiving yards have decreased drastically over the past two seasons. During his 2023 Pro Bowl campaign, he posted 81 receptions for 882 yards and six touchdowns. With the emergence of Harold Fannin Jr. in the Cleveland Browns' offense in 2025, Njoku was limited to just 33 receptions for 293 yards and four touchdowns.
But he's still a capable pass-catcher, and he likely has enough juice left in the tank under the right offensive scheme to be a difference-maker, especially in the red zone. Combine that with the short-term duration of his contract, and you've got a recipe for an excellent signing.
Kolar's role was always going to be limited, although highly important to Los Angeles' overall offensive structure. Last season with the Baltimore Ravens, Kolar saw just 15 targets, but he played 40% of his team's offensive snaps.
With Will Dissly and Tucker Fisk gone and their replacements now secured, it will take some time to figure out the workload distribution of the new tight end room. But that's something that can be figured out later.
Kolar's comments, instead, reflect a more general truth. While Njoku's presence may siphon snaps away from the Chargers' other two tight ends, he will undoubtedly be a boon to the offense as a whole. A rising tide rises all ships, and Njoku's versatile skill-set represents exactly that for the Chargers.
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