Browns Ex-First-Rounder Involved In Trade Buzz with Philadelphia Eagles

Do the Browns - who selected Greg Newsome in the first round (26th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft - simply want to give up on something that once seems special?

If the Cleveland Browns are serious about moving off of cornerback Greg Newsome II, as is rumored?

It seems the defending Super Bowl champions from Philadelphia might want to move in.

Philly seems pretty stout in the secondary, with young stars like Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, so we're not sure what the attraction to Newsome is ...

Unless there is a sense that the Browns - who selected Newsome in the first round (26th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft - simply want to give up on something that once seems special.

Newsome was named to the All-Rookie Team after finishing his rookie season with 37 combined tackles and nine pass deflections in 12 games. He was good again in 2023 as he posted career-highs with 49 tackles, 14 passes defensed and two interceptions, including a big-time pick-six against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens.

But he got demoted last year, even after the Browns ended up exercising Newsome’s fifth-year option worth $13.37 million guaranteed. And then got hurt, his season ending prematurely when he was placed on IR with a hamstring injury.

It is possible that Cleveland simply doesn't want to give him a contract beyond this year ... and on that note, we wonder if the Eagles really want to absorb Newsome’s $13.3 million fully guaranteed contract for 2025.

At just 25 years old, Newsome's best chance for success might be a change of scenery ... especially if that involves chasing a Super Bowl, something that's not likely happening in Cleveland any time soon.