Jacob Roach of USA Today’s Browns Wire projected that the team would choose that option, despite the fact that it does not represent an ideal financial situation.
“Before picking up his fifth-year option, consider whether you want to extend him long-term. … “Newsome isn’t a bad player, but he’s not someone you want to pay more than $10 million per year,” Roach tweeted on Monday, February 5. “In the end, the Browns will pick up his fifth-year option because you can never have enough corners, and he is still a good player even if he has not hit his highest level.”
Cleveland has until May 2 to decide on Newsome’s option.
Greg Newsome Had A Career Year with the Browns in 2023.
Newsome had a productive year in 2023, setting career highs in tackles (49), pass breakups (14), tackles for loss (4), interceptions (2), and defensive touchdowns (1).
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According to Pro Football Reference, he allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 56.7% of their passes with a cumulative rating of 74.8 on 67 targets in coverage. Both of these numbers were also career highs.
Pro Football Focus ranked Newsome as the 56th best cornerback out of 127 players who played enough snaps to qualify. According to the website’s advanced analytics methods, Newsome’s weakest point was his rush defence.
Last season, Newsome played 14 of the Browns’ 17 regular-season games, making 13 starts. In 2023, the defence ranked first in total yards surrendered.
Browns Face Tough Financial Reality Over the Next Several Years.
The Browns are now $20.6 million in the red on the 2024 cap sheet, while the organization plans to roll over approximately $30 million from 2023. Even yet, Deshaun Watson’s cap cost is expected to rise to $64 million this season and remain there for the duration of his contract, which expires in 2026. The franchise is also determined to keep wide receiver Amari Cooper after his sixth Pro Bowl season, which means an additional $24 million in cap space has been reserved for next season.
Cleveland can modify Watson’s contract and push money into the future in the form of a dead cap hit, but general manager Andrew Berry told Zack Jackson of The Athletic on February 1 that clearing up to $33 million in room by restructuring Watson’s contract isn’t necessarily the goal going forward.
Berry told Jackson, “To be honest, I’m not there yet.” “It’s not a necessity (to lower that), but it just kind of depends on how we put the plan together.”
Whatever the Browns decide to do, good players like Newsome and running back Nick Chubb may have to accept less money in the future or face a cut or trade.
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