The sudden departure of starting cornerback Greg Newsome II still stings in Cleveland, and the financial reality behind the move only twists the knife for Browns fans.
As Newsome prepares for his debut with the Jacksonville Jaguars this weekend against Seattle, the former first-rounder sheds light on the trade’s genesis, confirming it was the Jaguars who actively sought him out. “My agent told me, ‘They wanted you. Cleveland didn’t reach out; they wanted you.’ My goal is to do whatever I can to make their decision right,” Newsome told Juston Lewis of Jacksonville.com.
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Newsome’s comment perfectly encapsulates the prevailing sentiment in Cleveland: a well-performing, beloved defensive staple was sacrificed for the future. While the Browns acquired a more cap-friendly corner in Tyson Campbell, who is signed through 2028 with a contract that the team can bail out of with little penalty after 2026.
Greg Newsome II’s tenure with the Cleveland Browns, spanning 59 games after being selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, concluded with respectable stats, tallying up 178 total tackles, 37 passes defended, and three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.
Newsome is expected to make his Jaguars debut Sunday against the Seahawks, though his snap count remains to be seen as he adjusts to a new defense. His goal is to justify Jacksonville’s aggression, which only makes his loss more painful for the fans he left behind.
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This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns did not initiate Greg Newsome II trade talks with Jaguars