The Cleveland Browns have reportedly agreed to a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars. In the deal, the Browns and Jaguars swap corners with Greg Newsome II going to the Jaguars along with a sixth-round pick from the New York Jets. The Browns receive Tyson Campbell and the seventh round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles.
The two teams swap starting corners. Newsome, a first-round pick in 2021 for the Browns is on the fifth-year option of his contract. The Jaguars will take on all of his remaining salary. The Browns receive Campbell, who was selected at the top of the second round in that same draft class. He signed a lucrative contract extension in the summer of 2024. The Jaguars will eat the signing bonus for Campbell. Campbell's total salary for 2025 is $1.5 million. His salary in 2026 is for $1.616 million.
After the 2026 season, there is a potential opt out of the contract. In both 2027 and 2028, Campbell is due $15 million and $14.5 million respectively. In other words, if Campbell plays well, the Browns can simply keep him on his current contract for those years. If not, they could simply out of the contract after the rest of this season and one more full season. There might be room to renegotiate as well.
This could indicate a hesitancy on the part of the Browns to commit to the long-term deal he's seeking. The Jaguars might be more interested in such an arrangement.
Newsome, after moving back to the outside, had played reasonably well for the Browns. That is clearly the role Campbell is being acquired to play, having only played 229 snaps in the slot over the course of his career. It also provides a firm answer on who the Browns expect to start at corner for next season. Had the Browns opted to let Newsome test free agency, they didn't have a clear answer at that position.
Unfortunately, Martin Emerson Jr. who had been the starter at corner for the Browns suffered a torn Achilles' in training camp and was lost for the season. He is also slated to be a free agent.
The Browns are slated to play the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road this week. That doesn't give the Browns much time to get Campbell prepared if they hope to have him play this week.
This is the second notable trade the Browns have made with the Jaguars dating back to this year's draft. There, the Browns gave up the second overall pick in exchange for fifth pick, 36th pick and the first round selection for the Jaguars in 2026. The Jaguars selected Travis Hunter, the corner and wide receiver. The Browns took defensive tackle Mason Graham and running back Quinshon Judkins with the first round pick pending.