CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II just got traded from a 1-4 team to one that's 4-1.
On Wednesday night, Newsome, the Browns first-round pick in 2021 out of Northwestern, was traded to the Jaguars along with the sixth-round pick (from the Jets) in exchange for cornerback Tyson Campbell and a seventh round pick (from the Eagles).
Campbell, 25, was a second-round pick of the Jaguars out of Georgia in 2021. He's under contract through 2028, while Newsome is in the final year of his rookie deal, playing on his fifth-year option of $13.377 million.
"Love Cleveland it's been real," Newsome posted on X moments after the trade.
It's the second major trade between the two teams since April when the Browns traded down from No. 2 to No. 5, picking up a haul of selections.
The Jaguars used the No. 2 pick on receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter, while the Browns selected Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham at No. 5. They also received a second-round pick that they spent on running back Quinshon Judkins and a fourth that they used on running back Dylan Sampson. They also acquired the Jaguars' first-round pick in 2026, giving them two in that round to possibly package for a franchise quarterback.
It also marks the third trade by wheeling-and-dealing Browns GM Andrew Berry in the past week. He acquired offensive tackle Cam Robinson in a trade with the Texans and dealt Joe Flacco to the Bengals, moving up from the sixth round to the fifth round in the 2026 draft.
With the Jaguars absorbing the remainder of Newsome's salary and with the amount that the Jaguars have already paid Campbell from his 2024 extension, the Browns are getting Campbell for 3 1/2 years at a discount for a comparable if not better player.
What the Browns will play Tyson through 2028 is far less than what Newsome, 25, will receive on the open market or in an extension from the Jaguars.
In July of 2024, Campbell signed a four-year extension worth $76.5 million, including a $16 million signing bonus and $53.4 million guaranteed. It made him the 12th highest paid cornerback in the NFL at $19.125 million a year, four notches below No. 8 Denzel Ward at $20.1 million a year.
In addition to the signing bonus, the Jaguars gave Campbell a restructure bonus of $12.4 million in 2025, as well as a workout bonus of $500,000. The Browns owe him the remainder of his $1.5 million base salary for this season, his $1.616 million base in 2026, and bases of $15 million in 2027 and $14.5 million in 2028. He's also due $1 million a year in bonuses over the next three seasons, for a total of about $37 million for 3 1/3 years, less than half of the extension.
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 surprising trade opportunity was a good alternative for their short and long-term planning.
Campbell (6-1, 195) made an immediate impact as a rookie, starting 14 of 15 games and recording 70 tackles, 10 pass breakups and two interceptions. His length, speed and poise in coverage quickly earned him the trust of the coaching staff and a starting role opposite Shaquill Griffin.
In 2022, Campbell took a major leap, establishing himself as one of the NFL's top young corners. He posted career highs in pass breakups (15) and interceptions (3) while helping lead Jacksonville to its first playoff appearance since 2017. His ability to shadow opposing No. 1 receivers was a major reason for the Jaguars' defensive turnaround under head coach Doug Pederson.
Injuries limited Campbell to 11 games in 2023 and part of 2024, as hamstring and quad issues slowed his progress. Still, the Jaguars showed their faith in the 6-foot-1 defender by rewarding him with a four-year, $76.5 million contract extension in July 2024 -- one of the richest deals for a cornerback in the league.