Weeks of rumors and speculation about potential moves the Cleveland Browns would make at the trade deadline culminated in a mostly uneventful day for the franchise. 

Cleveland made a singular move on Tuesday, trading veteran defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and a 2026 seventh round pick to the Chicago Bears for a 2026 sixth-round pick, choosing to retain a handful of players who are currently playing in the last year of their current deals. 

At the top of that list was tight end David Njoku. 

"Of course, I was terrified," Njoku said regarding the rumors that he could be traded this week. 

Njoku's name has been part of trade speculation for several months as the team couldn't reach an extension agreement with him during the offseason, despite reported conversations with his representation. 

The emergence of rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. as a future star at the position didn't help matters in recent weeks either. In the end, though, the Browns decided to keep Njoku around. He couldn't be happier about it. 

"I'm happy. It’s because I'm here," Njoku said flashing his infectious smile. "I'm so happy, man. I don't know how else to put it. I'm so happy. For real. I'm serious." 

At one point during the conversation with local media on Wednesday, Njoku pointed to his an emblem on his necklace. On it, his No. 85, along with the pattern of a Nigerian flag streaking down the state of Ohio in diamonds. It was meant to further prove just how much love the 29-year-old has for Cleveland.

Still, it wasn't lost on him that he could have been playing somewhere else this week. It's a reality he, and most veterans understand about the NFL. 

"Of course, it's always a possibility. This is the NFL, man, you know what I mean?," he said. "But I'm in Cleveland, baby. I'm not going nowhere. I ain't (expletive) leaving." 

Njoku can channel his inner Wolf of Wall Street, but the fact still remains that he's in the final year of his current deal, with his age 30 season looming. The Browns love Njoku's energy and veteran presence both on the field and in the locker room. Still, it takes two to tango, and negotiating an extension is rarely a straightforward process. 

The former first-round pick believes it will all get worked out. 

"I'm not leaving," Njoku doubled down. "Ever?" He was asked. "Ever."

The 2023 Pro Bowler wouldn't quite elaborate on the status of any contract talks with the team. But he did leave fans with a parking message. 

"I can't say," he said with a smile and a wink.