Greg Newsome's Agent Switch Represents a Contingency

After switching agents, Greg Newsome II shot down reports of requesting a trade from the Cleveland Browns, but that doesn't mean it's off the table.

Cleveland Browns corner Greg Newsome II has switched agents, going back to Drew Rosenhaus after a year with Klutch Sports. Since Newsome is potentially three years away from a new contract, there's little reason to keep switching agents. With conflicting reports on a potential trade request from Newsome, the move likely represents a contingency if things don't go the way he hopes with the Browns.

Newsome has made it pretty clear on social media his feelings of playing slot corner even if he hasn't come out and said it directly. He feels he's far better outside. It's also potentially more lucrative if he's successful on the outside.

The Browns found a gem in Martin Emerson Jr. in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He was able to contribute immediately and gave the Browns a talented trio at the corner spot. However, Emerson's lack of hip fluidity doesn't lend itself well to playing inside. Newsome, meanwhile, has excellent short area quickness and could be great there, at least in coverage.

Under defensive coordinator Joe Woods last year, Newsome played half of his snaps on the outside and half on the inside and didn't complain. At least not publicly. Slot was clunky particularly at the beginning of the year, though Newsome did improve. Still, he doesn't want to end up there if he can help it.

As it stands, with Denzel Ward playing outside corner spot, the other spot will be a training camp battle between Newsome and Emerson. If Newsome were to win the spot, the issue largely resolves itself from Newsome's point of view. In the event he doesn't, the decision to hire Rosenhaus could come into play.

Rosenhaus doesn't make any money off of Newsome until he's able to get him a new contract. In order for that to happen the way both Newsome and Rosenhaus want, that may require a trade. So if Newsome comes to the decision he's not satisfied with his situation in Cleveland, he could request a trade. If denied, which is almost certainly going to happen, Rosenhaus can try to negotiate on his behalf. Rosenhaus's sales pitch would likely revolve around the idea that he can get the Browns a trade they would be happy with and pull the trigger. 

If that sounds familiar, it should.

When the Browns signed tight end Austin Hooper, David Njoku fired his agent in favor of Rosenhaus. Njoku requested a trade from the Browns and was denied. Rosenhaus was brought to help facilitate such a trade.

Njoku was happy with the Browns organization, but his concern was his viability in the offense. He was concerned he couldn't maximize his earning power with the Browns, especially if Hooper was the top tight end. To Njoku's credit, he worked hard and improved across the board.

Browns general manager Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski sat down with Njoku and explained that despite the fact they had Hooper, Njoku was going to be a big part of the offense and that the organization wouldn't hesitate to pay two premium tight ends if the talent warranted it.

Hooper didn't work out and was eventually released. Njoku fired Rosenhaus, went back to his previous agent who hammered out his lucrative contract extension with the Browns. Now, Njoku is exactly where he always wanted to be; in Cleveland with the contract he wanted.

As with Njoku, none of this likely signals that Newsome is unhappy with Cleveland or the Browns. It likely signals consternation about his future earning power. Understandably, Newsome wants to maximize his earning power just as Njoku did.

It could be just agent speak, but Rosenhaus said that his meeting with the Browns was positive and Newsome is excited to play for defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.

Amidst speculation that his client Greg Newsome wants to be traded, agent Drew Rosenhaus met today in Cleveland with the team to discuss Newsome’s future role there. “Greg is happy to be with the Browns,” Rosenhaus said. “Everything was very positive and Greg is happy with his…

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 11, 2023

Jim Schwartz being the new defensive coordinator is an important aspect of this conversation. Newsome thrives in man coverage and Schwartz has every intention of employing a ton of it.

The Browns corner weighed in to further try to further lower the temperature.

Ok y’all sit back a minute and lets think about this together. I just launched a softball game in Cleveland 😂. I’ll just leave it there. 😂💀 https://t.co/kw5lUJEKxP

— Greg Newsome II (@gnewsii) April 11, 2023

The best case scenario for the Browns is that Newsome adopts the same approach Njoku did. Hire Rosenhaus and he can do all the negotiating while Newsome works hard to get better, putting himself in position to become a great player.

There's only so much Newsome can do under the circumstances and he knows it. He's under contract for at least two more seasons. He could hold out, but it would be expensive and likely not produce the result he wants, which likely explains why he's already committed to being there for the start of the offseason program next week.

This is all without considering the possibility that both Newsome and Emerson are good enough that the Browns decide to trade Denzel Ward after this season. That could be a cost cutting move that also brings back value in the form of draft assets, a player or both.

For now, Newsome simply has to go out and compete. This situation could end up being revisited in the event Emerson beats Newsome out for the starting job. As it has always been, the best path forward for Newsome is to be great on the field and let his play do the talking.