Browns Trade Pitch Nets Strong Draft Pick for $26 Million Defender
The Cleveland Browns aren’t in sell mode just yet, but a couple more losses and that could well be where the franchise ends up.
Cleveland takes on the Minnesota Vikings in London on Sunday, October 5. The contest is very much in question, as both offenses face major injury issues and quarterback questions, while both defenses are among the best units in the league and get after opposing passers particularly well.
One member of the Browns‘ vaunted defense who is uncertain for the contest is cornerback Greg Newsome II. He did not practice Wednesday and was a limited participant Thursday and Friday. Cleveland’s official injury report lists him as questionable for Sunday’s game.
The former first-round pick, who is playing in the fifth-year team option of his rookie contract, moved back outside following a campaign-ending Achilles tear Martin Emerson Jr. sustained during the preseason.
Newsome has been better against the run than the pass in 2025, but is still above-average at both when compared to his qualifying peers around the NFL through the first month of the year, per Pro Football Focus.
Given Newsome’s experience playing both inside and outside over, and considering the need that good teams around the league have for a second outside cornerback, he fits the bill as a prime trade candidate should things go off the rails for Cleveland over the next month.
One team in particular that could use Newsome is the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. And given the Eagles‘ situation, they are more incentivized to spend now — and even potentially overspend slightly — on a player who helps solidify their chances at a repeat title.
Browns Can Capitalize on Cornerback Need Around NFL
GettyCleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II.
The biggest question in NFL circles regarding Philadelphia’s need at cornerback is where they might be able to find one.
People keep bringing up trade options for the Eagles like, ‘Oh, they gotta go get a CB2 and finish this thing off,'” Brett Kollman said on “The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny” on Thursday, October 2. “And while yes, I agree, because they still do need like a second outside corner I should say, or I guess it would be a CB3 for them — what team is trading a starting corner right now?”
Cleveland might be the answer if the Browns can’t get past Minnesota this weekend. The Vikings defense is known for confusing opposing quarterbacks, particularly rookies, and Dillon Gabriel is making his first start after the Browns benched Joe Flacco.
The team has yet to put up 20 points this year and may need to play its best offensive game of the campaign to get a win over the Vikings. Should Cleveland lose, the Browns will drop to 1-4 with a road game next week against the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1), currently the AFC North Division leaders and enjoying their bye this weekend.
Browns Could Turn Greg Newsome Into Fourth-Round Pick
GettyCleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report on September 29 approximated Newsome’s current trade value at a conditional fourth-round pick.
Newsome has started all four games this season for a defense that is the one unit on which the Browns can hang their hat. However, having a fantastic defense means little when the offense and special teams are struggling as badly as Cleveland’s,” Knox wrote. The reality is the Browns need to find difference-makers for their offense. Moving Newsome, who is an impending 2026 free agent, might help them do that, albeit in the 2026 draft.”
Cleveland is already amid a rookie renaissance, with five 2025 picks currently starting after Gabriel’s promotion. The Browns have two first-round selections in 2026, and it makes sense to stock assets by moving a player who isn’t likely to return next spring anyway.
Newsome has earned a total of $26 million over his first five years in the league and will certainly be looking for a raise to his annual average salary next offseason.
Cam Newton Facing Backlash Over Vikings’ JJ McCarthy Comment
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy‘s career continues to come under scrutiny just months into its beginning — but Cam Newton took it to a new level.
While addressing Shedeur Sanders not getting a chance to play as a backup for the Cleveland Browns, Newton brought McCarthy’s name into the mix, arguing that Sanders, a fifth-round pick, is better than McCarthy despite the disparity in their draft status.
“When I saw J.J. McCarthy go top 10, a first-round pick, I said, ‘Shedeur Sanders is better than J.J. McCarthy today,” Newton said on the “4th and 1 Show.”
Newton’s message was not well-received by not just Vikings fans, but NFL fans at large.
NFL Fans React to Cam Newton’s J.J. McCarthy Take
You know it’s a bad take when a rival has to get involved, exactly what a Green Bay Packers fan did in response to Newton’s dig at McCarthy.
“McCarthy’s a winner. Vikings O-line sucks and [Jordan] Addison was out for both of his starts. Also, he’s a leader. It’s not about him. It’s about the team,” the fan wrote. As a Packers fan, I WISH they had Sanders instead. Cam should stick to not wanting to recover fumbles.”
Many fans came after Newton with personal attacks, from his attire to his reputation for espousing controversial opinions in the media landscape.
Same dude who was surprised the Falcons called Kirk and not him😂,” one fan replied.
“No common sense. No fashion sense. Total nonsense,” a second fan added.
Many fans voiced their defense of McCarthy, who had a much more illustrious college career than Sanders.
McCarthy isn’t alone in his slight from Newton. The former Carolina Panthers star has taken issue with quarterbacks who benefit from the system around them, specifically defending Super Bowl champion Jalen Hurts.
lol glad Vikings fans getting a taste of this clown. Buddy hating on hurts now JJ,” an Eagles fan said.
Many fans came to McCarthy’s defense, noting how early it is in either quarterback’s career to make the call of who is better at the next level.
“Sure JJ won a national championship and lost 2 games total at Michigan but did he secure a .500 career record and a loss in the McDonald’s quarter pounder with cheese bowl? Didn’t think so,” one X user wrote, referring to Sanders playing in a bowl game over the College Football Playoff.
“JJ catching strays. He can have his opinion. Only time will tell. I don’t see the need to constantly rank these young QBs and put them down. Nobody knows what either can be until they develop/play significant time. JJ only started 2yrs in college; far from a finished product,” another fan added.
McCarthy is still a largely unknown commodity in the NFL with just eight quarters of action to his name — and until a better picture of his ability can come to light, he will be subjected to these attacks.
“Can JJ get [expletive] healthy and prove these clowns wrong. This is ridiculous. What does Shedeur have over JJ? Less athletic, less arm, less pro-style fit, less ability to throw with anticipation etc,” a fan wrote.
When Will JJ McCarthy Return to Be Vikings Starting QB?
After a Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, McCarthy has been dealing with a high ankle sprain that has forced him to miss the next two games. Carson Wentz hasn’t fared much better, going 1-1 in his two starts, behind a patchwork offensive line that is currently missing three starters.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell has maintained that he will not play McCarthy until he is 100% recovered and can practice a full week before a game. The timeline seemed to be between two to four weeks, which would see McCarthy play in a Week 6 matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles at the latest.
However, The Athletic’s Diana Russini reported that the Vikings medical team said it could be up to six weeks — putting that Week 6 return coming out of the bye into limbo.
The Vikings have a short week of preparation the following week, facing the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football in Week 7.
Whether O’Connell would be willing to bring McCarthy back on a short week of prep remains to be seen and is of concern.
