The Cleveland Browns’ former first-round pick Greg Newsome II has been tagged as a potential trade target by those outside. While Newsome knows about the talks, he pays no attention.
“I don’t pay attention, but my family and stuff tell me and ask me,” Newsome said Tuesday, via Camryn Justice of WEWS Cleveland. “What goes through my head is nothing. I feel like I’m comfortable here. I feel like AB (general manager Andrew Berry), the ownership and all my coaches know what I’m capable of. They know what I bring to this team, not just on the field, being one of those glue guys. As a guy who’s always energetic. Celebrating no matter what. I feel like they know my value, so no I wasn’t too worried about that.”
The reasoning behind the trade talk is that Cleveland has Denzel Ward on a big-money contract and Martin Emerson, a former third-rounder who had a strong 2023. The Browns would be trading a powerful position to fortify other units. However, in today’s NFL, having three reliable corners is vital.
Despite any rumours, Newsome continues to plan his future in Cleveland.
“I told you from Day 1, I want to be one of those guys that sticks around one place their whole career,” he said. “God be willing, I’ll be here for a long time.”
The Browns can decide to make on Newsome’s fifth-year option ahead of the May 2 deadline.
With the 2024 NFL Draft approaching, the Browns might dangle Newsome as trade bait during the drafting process or soon after if a club does not acquire him.
Regardless, the decision is not Newsome’s to make. He is just focusing on his job in Jim Schwartz’s defence unit.
“I feel good. Whatever I can do to help the team win, I’ll do,” he said. “I was able to do a lot of things, you know, blitz, I was able to cover a lot more in man-to-man. I think I had a great role last year, and I’m just ready to keep getting better at it.”
