The Cleveland Browns have been the target of a number of trade speculations both before and during free agency, the most recent being cornerback Greg Newsome II.
Last week, Browns general manager Andrew Berry spoke decisively about the latest trade rumors surrounding the starting defensive back.
“I can’t help what players come up in trading rumors,” Berry told Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot on March 26. “We have that every year, but we’re pleased with Greg, anticipate him continuing to play a big role for us.”
According to Jason La Canfora of The Washington Post, Berry’s language contrasted sharply with what Cleveland told other teams around the league as free agency neared.
“Multiple GMs said the Cleveland Browns made it clear they are open to dealing one of their top cornerbacks as they try to balance salaries after years of heavy spending,” La Canfora said in a March 7 column.
Just one day later, Jeff Risdon of Lions Wire reported that the Detroit Lions were interested in acquiring Newsome.
“Very strong indications the Browns are looking to make a move with Newsome,” Risdon wrote to X on March 8. “Also very strong indications the Lions have at least picked up the phone to talk about it.”
Newsome is a former first-round choice of the Cleveland Browns, who took him 26th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. He is entering the final season of his four-year rookie contract, which is worth $12.75 million in total.
However, Newsome’s contract in 2024 will be only $2.4 million, which is one of several reasons why he is a strong trade possibility in the eyes of potential suitors like Detroit. Cleveland has until early May to determine whether to exercise its fifth-year team option on Newsome’s contract, which pays him about $13.4 million in 2025.
Any team trading for Newsome during the next month would also be faced with that choice, but any team interested would presumably be able to exercise the cornerback’s option rather quickly. If Newsome decides otherwise, he will be eligible for unrestricted free agency in March of next year.
Newsome has started 39 of 41 regular-season games in his first three NFL seasons. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed opposition quarterbacks to complete only 58% of their pass attempts over 67 targets, resulting in a cumulative passer rating of only 76.4.
The cornerback also had 14 pass breakups and two interceptions, one of which was recovered for a touchdown, according to Pro Football Reference. According to The Football Database, Newsome added a half-sack this season to the league’s top defense in terms of yardage surrendered per game.
Given his talent and accomplishments, particularly last season, as well as his modest pay, it makes little sense for the Browns to trade Newsome, except that the team has two other starting-level cornerbacks who are arguably superior.
Denzel Ward and Martin Emerson Jr., the latter of whom still has two years left on a cheap rookie contract, are the team’s top two cornerbacks and play outside.
Meanwhile, Newsome usually lines up in the slot when all three players are on the field together.
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