CLEVELAND, Ohio — When the Cleveland Browns suddenly traded cornerback Greg Newsome II to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for Tyson Campbell mid-week, it sent shockwaves through the fanbase. The move came on the heels of the Joe Flacco trade, leaving many to wonder: Is this the beginning of a fire sale for the struggling 1-4 Browns?
Not so fast, according to Browns beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot on the Orange and Brown Talk podcast.
“Well, I’m going to try to keep it as simple as possible. There’s two reasons why they made this trade. No. 1, it was an economic decision and No. 2, it was an on-the-field decision,” Cabot explained.
The financial aspect is particularly compelling. Newsome is in the final year of his rookie deal, playing on his fifth-year option at $13.4 million. Campbell, meanwhile, is signed through 2028 after Jacksonville gave him a four-year extension worth $76.5 million, with much of that money already paid by the Jaguars.
“The Browns kind of get a little bit of a bargain on Tyson Campbell and he comes at a discounted price over an extension to Greg Newsome. What that would have cost them, that would have been in the $20 million a year range, they’re getting Tyson Campbell for about $15 (million), maybe $15.5 (million),” Cabot noted.
Beyond economics, the trade represents a strategic scheme fit. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz runs a system that emphasizes man coverage, and Campbell appears better suited for that approach.
“The other part of it is the fact that he’s coming into play and excel at more of a man-centric scheme. And Greg is going down to the Jaguars to play in more of a zone-oriented scheme. So from a football standpoint, it just made sense for both teams,” Cabot said.
The human element cannot be overlooked, though. Newsome was beloved in the locker room and had developed strong bonds with his teammates, particularly fellow cornerback Denzel Ward.
Browns reporter Ashley Bastock shared: “And Denzel (Ward) said he was hurt by this, which makes sense. They’ve played together now for five years when they’re both healthy. This is one of the best corner duos in the league. Denzel said he shed some tears for Greg, but he did say when I asked, do you still feel like winning is the goal for this football team, he said yes.”
That final point is crucial. Despite the emotional impact of losing Newsome, players still believe the organization is focused on winning in 2025.
Host Dan Labbe emphasized that point: “I don’t feel like these two moves specifically are like outright waving the white flag types of moves.”
The trade also provides insurance against the potential loss of Martin Emerson Jr., who suffered an Achilles injury and whose contract situation remains uncertain. By acquiring Campbell, the Browns have solidified their cornerback position for the foreseeable future.
While time will tell whether this trade benefits the Browns on the field, the podcast panel’s analysis suggests this wasn’t a desperation move by a team giving up on the season. Rather, it represents a calculated decision weighing economics, scheme fit and future roster construction.
For Browns fans hoping to understand the team’s direction, this podcast episode offers valuable insight into the thinking behind what initially appeared to be a shocking mid-season trade.
Here’s the podcast for this week:
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