Greg Newsome is going into a fifth-year option season. While the Browns fully guaranteed the 2021 first-round pick’s 2025 salary ($13.38MM), they had not begun extension talks this offseason. That could be telling.
Hours before the first round, the Browns are believed to be shopping Newsome and edge rusher Ogbo Okoronkwo, according to Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz. Newsome saw his snap rate decline last season, after near-full-time usage from 2021-23, as Martin Emerson‘s role contributed to that. Okoronkwo is also going into a contract year.
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Emerson has operated as Denzel Ward‘s perimeter complementary performer during his career, relegating Newsome to a slot role in sub-packages. Last season, that meant only three starts for Newsome, who described some frustration with his role during the winter. Ahead of his age-25 season, the Browns will see what they can land for the former No. 26 overall pick. Likely Browns draftee Travis Hunter would be expected to dabble at corner, giving the team a unique luxury, but GM Andrew Berry has consistently said the organization prefers him at WR.
These trade talks are not exactly out of the blue, as Newsome came up in trade conversations before last year’s deadline. As the Browns tumbled to a 1-6 start, they did unload Za’Darius Smith and Amari Cooper. But they stood pat in the secondary, keeping Ward, Newsome and Emerson. With Emerson becoming extension-eligible, Cleveland may be fine landing a cheaper corner to complement Ward and Emerson. On that note, the Browns may not be able to land a strong return due to Newsome’s fully guaranteed salary.
Cutting costs makes sense for a Browns team that still has Deshaun Watson‘s megadeal on its books, even though the quarterback has likely thrown his last pass with the team. An insurance measure could allow the team to save some money if/when Watson is released in 2026, but that is not certain. Trims elsewhere make sense in the meantime. Cleveland already carries 10 picks entering the draft, but it looks to be eyeing more.
Okoronkwo, 30 today, has worked mostly as a rotational rusher in Cleveland. Combining for 7.5 sacks in two seasons, the ex-Rams rusher has made five starts (all last season). Attached to a three-year deal worth $19MM, Okoronkwo teamed with Smith as Myles Garrett wingmen; he made his five starts after Smith’s move to Detroit. Trading Okoronkwo now would not bring any cap relief; the move would cost just more than $6MM in dead money. The Browns, however, appear to deem that worth a minor return.
hes a bear
“ Trading Okoronkwo now would not bring any cap relief; the move would cost just more than $6MM in dead money.”
Didn’t Browns management know this before the trade deadline last season? Why didn’t they trade him earlier?
Berry is very good at managing the cap, guarantee he knows. This might be a way to move back up into the first or gain another 2nd so we have a better chance at selecting Jalen Milroe