The Cleveland Browns made a second trade in as many days on Wednesday.
The Browns traded veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday. The next day, Cleveland acquired cornerback Tyson Campbell and a 2026 seventh-round pick from the Jacksonville Jaguars for Greg Newsome II and a 2026 sixth-round pick.
It’s an intriguing trade as the teams swap young cornerbacks, but ESPN NFL insider Seth Walder says he doesn’t love it for the Browns due to the money they took on.
“Assuming that’s the case, the Browns are shedding money in the short term by exchanging Newsome’s remaining guaranteed salary for a proration of Campbell’s $2 million salary plus per-game roster bonuses,” Walder wrote. “But then they will be on the hook for Campbell’s $13.1 million next year and will trigger an $8.9 million guarantee of his 2027 money, per Roster Management System, if they keep him. I find this detail critical…
“If that’s right, then they’re essentially betting that Campbell’s short-term play this year won’t carry forward,” Walder added. “It could cost the Browns a few million if they’re wrong. It could save them quite a few more million if they’re right. I don’t love committing more guaranteed money mid-rebuild with a tight medium-term cap situation, but I see where they can find value.”
Campbell was a second-round pick in 2021 and is in the first year of a four-year, $76.50 million extension that includes $53.40 million guaranteed. Campbell has recorded 34 tackles and one forced fumble this season.
Greg Newsome II Reacts to Trade
The Browns and Jaguars swap was an intriguing one, as Cleveland traded two young cornerbacks.
Following the move, Newsome II took to social media to react to the trade.
“Love Cleveland it’s been real,” Newsome II wrote on X.
He also sent a one-word message to Jaguars fans after the deal.
“DUUUUUVALLLLL,” Newsome II wrote.
Newsome II was selected 26th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Browns. The cornerback is in the final year of his rookie deal, as his fifth-year option was picked up.
Newsome II has recorded 23 tackles and three pass defenses this season.
Browns Were Open to Extending Newsome II
Newsome II was in the final year of his deal, but the Browns were open to extending him.
Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reported that Cleveland was open to extending Newsome II before the trade developed.
“The Browns would’ve been happy to extend Newsome — and he told cleveland.com at the Super Bowl in February that he wanted to stay as long as he got more playing time — but the trade opportunity popped up and became a good alternative for their short and long-term planning,” Cabot reported.
Newsome II, meanwhile, was also interested in re-signing in Cleveland.
“This is the place that drafted me and I do think we’re closer (to winning) than what people think, honestly,” Newsome said during training camp. “A lot of people are saying there’s no way, but I think we are. I definitely would like to sign long term, but there’s still that thing that in order to help this team, I’ve got to be on the field a little more.”
However, the Browns felt like the trade for Campbell was worth it, and Newsome’s time with Cleveland is over.
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