The Opening Drive 11/26: Tyson Campbell Making Greg Newsome Trade Look Like An Easy Win For Browns
The unexpected trade is clearly tilting in the Browns favor.
When the Browns traded Greg Newsome II and a late draft pick to Jacksonville in exchange for Tyson Campbell and a slightly later pick, many around the league viewed it as a straightforward cornerback swap with little impact. However, within Berea, this move was driven by fit recognition and cost control rather than an unclear future at the starting corner position opposite Denzel Ward.
A month later, the results are clear, and the Browns decisively won this trade. A significant part of the story is Campbell’s usage; he transitioned into the Browns’ starting lineup the same week he was traded and logged 53 snaps (90%) in his first start with the team. Since then, he has played 49 snaps (84%), 42 snaps (86%), 55 snaps (90%), and even played all 79 snaps (100%) in Sunday’s win over the Raiders. Jim Schwartz trusted him from the very beginning. He identified a physical cornerback who could play press-man-to-man and be much better than Newsome against the run game.
In contrast, Newsome’s usage in Jacksonville plummeted rapidly. After playing over 90% of snaps in Weeks 9 and 10, his numbers fell to 13% and 32% in the following weeks. His role is diminishing rather than growing.
Campbell’s PFF grades for 2025 consistently fall in the low to mid-60s, with tackling grades in the mid-70s, which align well with the role the Browns wanted Campbell to fill. He posted a PFF grade of 79.1 in the Jets Game with a coverage grade over 90. He had a pick-6 in his first home game and, since coming to Cleveland, loves his fit with this defense. “I mean, each week it gets better...It gets easier. You get more adjusted not only with the atmosphere, but also the scheme and the playbook as well.” Campbell stated.
On the other hand, Newsome has been exposed at times in Jacksonville’s defense, receiving low PFF grades of 41.7, 39.8, and 27.9. He has managed to exceed a grade of 50 in only one game and has allowed a passer rating of 91.8 when targeted.
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Fit is everything in this scenario; Campbell brings the size, physicality, and press-man coverage skills that Schwartz prioritizes. In contrast, Newsome, who is more of a slot/outside tweener with inconsistent tackling, was good at times for the Browns but has always struggled playing the run. Campbell has been much better in that role and, with an increased understanding of the scheme, has been better in coverage with every passing week.
The Contract Aspect
Cleveland also gained clarity in its salary cap situation by avoiding a contract extension for Newsome while acquiring Campbell at a known long-term cost. Estimates suggest that the 2025 cap savings could be around $8.2 million.
Ultimately, Campbell is playing more snaps at a higher level and in a larger role, while Newsome is seeing fewer snaps and producing less. This trade has strengthened both the Browns’ secondary and their salary cap situation, as they have avoided a significant extension for Newsome and the need to fill a defensive gap by exchanging cornerbacks with the Jaguars. They now have Campbell under team control at a reasonable cost, and he has proven to be an immediate upgrade at the position.
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Hey I just wanted to take a minute to thank you guys for sticking with real browns content. The amount of sites and podcasts grifting Shaddeur and conspiracy theories for clicks is insane.. I lost a lot of respect for some sites I used to enjoy. Browns film breakdown keeps it real along with Quincy and one other site...
I'm curious how much stock you put in PFF scores. Everyone always quotes these numbers, but I wonder how meaningful they are. It seems like a lot of this stuff is very hard to quantify.