Insider Doubts Browns’ Tyson Campbell Deal, Citing Tight Cap Situation
The Cleveland Browns made a second trade in as many days on Wednesday.
The Browns traded veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday. The next day, Cleveland acquired cornerback Tyson Campbell and a 2026 seventh-round pick from the Jacksonville Jaguars for Greg Newsome II and a 2026 sixth-round pick.
It’s an intriguing trade as the teams swap young cornerbacks, but ESPN NFL insider Seth Walder says he doesn’t love it for the Browns due to the money they took on.
“Assuming that’s the case, the Browns are shedding money in the short term by exchanging Newsome’s remaining guaranteed salary for a proration of Campbell’s $2 million salary plus per-game roster bonuses,” Walder wrote. “But then they will be on the hook for Campbell’s $13.1 million next year and will trigger an $8.9 million guarantee of his 2027 money, per Roster Management System, if they keep him. I find this detail critical…
“If that’s right, then they’re essentially betting that Campbell’s short-term play this year won’t carry forward,” Walder added. “It could cost the Browns a few million if they’re wrong. It could save them quite a few more million if they’re right. I don’t love committing more guaranteed money mid-rebuild with a tight medium-term cap situation, but I see where they can find value.”
Campbell was a second-round pick in 2021 and is in the first year of a four-year, $76.50 million extension that includes $53.40 million guaranteed. Campbell has recorded 34 tackles and one forced fumble this season.
Greg Newsome II Reacts to Trade
The Browns and Jaguars swap was an intriguing one, as Cleveland traded two young cornerbacks.
Following the move, Newsome II took to social media to react to the trade.
“Love Cleveland it’s been real,” Newsome II wrote on X.
He also sent a one-word message to Jaguars fans after the deal.
“DUUUUUVALLLLL,” Newsome II wrote.
Newsome II was selected 26th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Browns. The cornerback is in the final year of his rookie deal, as his fifth-year option was picked up.
Newsome II has recorded 23 tackles and three pass defenses this season.
Browns Were Open to Extending Newsome II
Newsome II was in the final year of his deal, but the Browns were open to extending him.
Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reported that Cleveland was open to extending Newsome II before the trade developed.
“The Browns would’ve been happy to extend Newsome — and he told cleveland.com at the Super Bowl in February that he wanted to stay as long as he got more playing time — but the trade opportunity popped up and became a good alternative for their short and long-term planning,” Cabot reported.
Newsome II, meanwhile, was also interested in re-signing in Cleveland.
“This is the place that drafted me and I do think we’re closer (to winning) than what people think, honestly,” Newsome said during training camp. “A lot of people are saying there’s no way, but I think we are. I definitely would like to sign long term, but there’s still that thing that in order to help this team, I’ve got to be on the field a little more.”
However, the Browns felt like the trade for Campbell was worth it, and Newsome’s time with Cleveland is over.
Texans OC Nick Caley Gets Honest Evaluation From GM
The Houston Texans offense is operating under a new offensive coordinator in Nick Caley this season.
Caley, 42, was brought in from the Los Angeles Rams in hopes of doing a better job than Bobby Slowik, who was let go after two seasons with the Texans. General manager Nick Caserio spoke positively about Caley's job through the first five weeks in the season.
“I think it's evolved. Anytime any of us are put in the position for the first time, you're going to have to deal with some ups and downs. It's a learning process. We've all been there. I've been there," Caserio said.
"Nick [Caley] is going through it. You look around the league, there's a lot of coaches that go through that. He’s got a good attitude, taking the right approach. There's always a little bit of give-and-take."
"You want to try a little bit more of this, but maybe it's not the best thing for the team. Maybe we're going to shift our focus a little bit here."
The Texans offense got off to a rough start through the first three weeks, losing each game by a score. The offense failed to put up 20 points in any of their first three games, but that has changed in the last two.
The Texans are averaging 35 points per game in their last two wins, offering hope that Caley can adjust.
"Nick is a smart guy, been around football for a long time, seen a lot of things. We've made some modifications and adjustments as we've gone. We've talked about this. You probably figure out what you have with your football team over the first four or five weeks," Caserio said.
"We have five games in the bank here. Figure out what we're doing well, what are some of the things we can build on. Nick has done a really good job. Had a good attitude, good approach."
"Works really well with the staff, communicates with DeMeco [Ryans] on a regular basis, trying to figure out what is in their best interest. In the end it's about the players. Done a good job. Glad he's here.”
Now that the team is going through the bye week, the Texans are hopeful to see more growth from Caley as the season progresses.
“Any coach, any job when you're put in the position, there's a learning curve that's involved," Caserio said. "You go from an area scout to college director… There's things that you're going to learn that are different than the job that you had previously."
"So, no different than the coach. Position coach going to a coordinator spot. There's some things to figure out, managing the staff, what is your responsibility, where do you allocate your time and resources. It's all part of the process."
