Greg Newsome‘s name came up in trade rumors this offseason, but Browns general manager Andrew Berry made it clear before the draft the team would not consider moving him. Shortly thereafter, Cleveland made a short-term commitment to the former first-round corner. 
As expected, Newsome had his fifth-year option picked up. That decision locks him into a guaranteed salary of $13.38MM for 2025 – a steep raise compared to the value of his rookie pact. Still, a second contract would likely come in at a higher rate, something which would be a complicated investment on Cleveland’s part. The team already has Denzel Ward on the books at $20.1MM per year, and fellow corner Martin Emerson Jr. will be eligible for his own extension next offseason.
Nevertheless, Newsome is interested in remaining with the Browns for years to come. The 23-year-old enjoyed a career year in 2023, playing a key role on the team’s elite defense. Newsome recorded his first two interceptions, adding 14 pass breakups and 49 tackles. The Northwestern product also allowed a 74.8 passer rating in coverage, the best mark of his NFL tenure to date. He is hoping to parlay that success into a multi-year agreement, though no discussions on that front have taken place yet.
“Extension-wise, we haven’t really talked about that,” Newsome said, via Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram. “Honestly, I’m just focused on trying to get us as high as we can this year and whatever happens after that happens. But like I said before, I would love to be a Cleveland Brown for life.”
Cleveland led the league in passing yards against last season (165), and the Ward-Emerson-Newsome trio will again be counted on to play a major part in the team’s success on defense in 2024. The latter’s long-term status will be worth watching, though, and it will be interesting to see if his desire to remain in place for years to come is reciprocated by the team.
