Will Browns Pick Up Greg Newsome's Fifth-Year Option?
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Cleveland Browns corner Greg Newsome had a promising rookie season followed by an uneven second season due to an increased role and an adjustment to operating in the slot. There's every reason for the Browns to be excited about what Newsome can bring, but how likely is it he will see his fifth-year option picked up after this season? TheMMQB's Matt Verderame predicted Newsome will not have his option picked up, the safe answer at this juncture.
Just looking at the Browns roster, it's understandable why someone would say Newsome won't have his option picked up after this season. Denzel Ward is on a premium contract and the Browns have Martin Emerson Jr. coming off a strong rookie season. The Browns might not be inclined to put themselves on the hook for potentially a $15 million cap hit.
That's less about Newsome and any perceived disappointment rather than just how tight the Browns cap situation is. Newsome's second season wasn't what most were hoping for, but Browns corners outside of Emerson had a relatively disappointing season.
With an impotent pass rush outside of Myles Garrett and the inability to stop the run, the Browns corners were often hung out to dry. Denzel Ward had the worst season of his career. So if there was ever a year to cross train Newsome to play the slot, 2022 was it. Newsome split his reps between the slot and the outside and was uneven.
After some initial bumps, Newsome became more comfortable in the slot and turned in some strong performances. He still played well as an outside corner.
Entering 2023, the Browns have Jim Schwartz as their defensive coordinator. Schwartz wants to play more man coverage than the previous defensive coordinator, Joe Woods, which plays to Newsome's strengths. He's almost certainly going to float as he did last year, playing both inside and outside again, but the year of experience with so much work in the slot combined with a more palatable style of coverage could be great for Newsome.
Additionally, the offseason investments the Browns have made along their defensive line should benefit all of the corners and the defense as a whole. The focus for Newsome is to have a great year. As far as his option is concerned, there are some moving parts.
First, does Ward bounce back after a lackluster 2022 season? Just regressing to the mean should be a major improvement, but the Browns need him to be the top corner they are paying him to be.
Second, does Emerson build off a strong rookie year? Corner is such a difficult position which can lead to volatility year to year as Ward has demonstrated. Emerson found a great role with the Browns as someone who could compete against bigger receivers. Especially with the improvements made elsewhere on the team, there's an opportunity for him to gain momentum.
Third, does anyone else step up from that corner group? A.J. Green has been a decent fourth option. The team also just drafted Newsome's college teammate Cameron Mitchell. Should one of them step up and warrant a bigger role on the team, that could also factor into how the Browns proceed with Newsome.
Depending on how these three questions get answered and assuming Newsome has a strong year, the Browns could pick up his option. There's a scenario where the Browns trade Ward to save cap and get back draft assets because they feel so confident in the players they've drafted behind him, which would allow the Browns to pick up his option.
However, the most likely scenario is that Newsome's option isn't picked up because the Browns don't really have a place to put $15 million unless he's a bonafide star. That also doesn't mean they would intend to let him leave. Instead, the Browns may try to assure Newsome to play out the fourth year with the intent to then bypass the option and sign him to an extension.
That would be a difficult conversation between Browns general manager Andrew Berry and Newsome, but it could be done. No player wants to see that much money walk out the door, getting handed what amounts to be a promissory note. The situation could eventually see Newsome end up with another team, but so long as he plays well, he's going to end up with the contract he wants.
