Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II is entering the biggest year of his NFL career.
A first-round draft pick in 2021, Newsome will play this season under his fifth-year option, meaning he will enter 2026 as a free agent unless the Browns work out a contract extension with him before then.
The drive for that next contract begins on Sunday when the Browns open the 2025 season against the Cincinnati Bengals, who present a challenge to any defense with quarterback Joe Burrow throwing to wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Since they teamed up in 2021, Chase and Higgins have combined for 59 receptions, 671 receiving yards, and six touchdowns against the Browns.
And when they break the huddle on Sunday for the first time, they will see Newsome in a spot he hasn’t played very much since his rookie season.
After playing almost exclusively on the outside in 2021, Newsome has split time between the outside and at slot cornerback since the arrival of Martin Emerson Jr. in 2022. But with Emerson out for the season with an Achille’s injury, Newsome is moving back to the outside.
Just don’t tell Newsome he is simply filling in for a fallen teammate, as Newsome said during a media session on Monday:
“My goal is not to fill any void. As a player, I think I have the ability of any cornerback in the league. So my job is not to fill a void. My job is just to go out there and help my team win. So I’m back to my natural position. I’m super excited to do that, and that’s what I was put on this earth to do (play outside corner), so I’m super excited.”
Newsome added that spending time as a slot cornerback helped him develop a deeper understanding of what the offense is up to:
“That’s the benefit of playing nickel and going back and forth and doing that my entire career. I feel like now I have more understanding of the game. So being outside, I still will be able to see from the nickel’s eyes of everything. Being able to see the formation, being able to get run and pass keys.
“So now going back outside, obviously, the focus will be on my man when I’m in man, and I don’t have to really worry about too much stuff inside. But I also will be able to see certain tells from playing inside.”
Newsome entered the league with a lot of promise as a first-round draft pick, but has struggled the past few seasons to build on that promise.
Now entering the final year of his rookie contract and back at what he believes is his natural position, Newsome has the opportunity to show the Browns he has the talent to be a starter on the outside and is deserving of a second contract with the team.
