Vincent Frank
Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome has started 26 of the 27 games in which he’s appeared since they made him a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Most figured that new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz would like to continue featuring the talented Northwestern product next to Denzel Ward moving forward.
That might not be the case. According to Browns insider Brad Stainbrook of 247 Sports, Newsome has requested a trade from the Browns.
It remains to be seen if Cleveland will end up granting this request. But general manager Andrew Berry has pushed back against similar requests in the past. That includes current free agent running back Kareem Hunt and tight end David Njoku, the latter of whom signed an extension with the team recently.
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Greg Newsome’s situation with the Cleveland Browns
Stainbrook points to Newsome changing agents as a way to potentially expedite a trade. We’re not 100% sure what’s happening behind the scenes.
Right now, the 22-year-old corner is slated to start in the nickel with Ward and Martin Emerson out on the boundary. He’s also just now finishing up his second season, meaning that the Cleveland Browns can’t yet extend the youngster. So, this is not a financial situation.
Despite having failed to record an interception in each of his first two seasons, Newsome continues to play at a high level. He yielded a 58% completion and 84.6 QB rating when targeted a season ago. Those are plus-level starter stats in today’s NFL.
Obviously, Newsome would have a huge trade market should Cleveland opt to grant his request. The youngster’s minimal salary right now coupled with his age adds another layer to this.
- Greg Newsome contract: $3.48 million cap hit in 2023
Both contending and non-contending teams would have interest in a talented young cornerback who is under contract long term and has not yet hit his prime. That’s for sure.
