What I’m hearing about Browns recent trades — Terry Pluto

Greg Newsome II to Jacksonville

1. As some of these trades are made, keep in mind the Browns are still “digging out” from the “big swing and miss” of the Deshaun Watson trade. The deal hammered the salary cap and it also chewed up six draft choices between 2022-24.
2. Here’s where that comment comes from, the words of owner Jimmy Haslam earlier this year: “We took a big swing and miss with Deshaun … We thought we had the quarterback, we didn’t. We gave up a lot of draft picks to get him. So we’ve got to dig ourselves out of that hole. (It) was an entire organization decision. It ends with Dee and I, so hold us accountable.”
3. The Browns traded Greg Newsome II and a sixth round pick to Jacksonville for Tyson Campbell and a seventh round pick. It was not a pure salary dump, although it helps the cap situation this season. It gets complicated when it comes to the dollars and salary cap.
4. The big point is the Browns like Campbell as a player. He’s 25 and they see him as part of their plans for next year and perhaps longer. The Browns only owe him $782,000 for the rest of 2025. In 2026, that grows to $13.2 million. In 2027, it’s $15 million. The Browns can cut him after 2026 paying about $8 million. After 2027, no damage. His last season is $14.5 million in 2028. Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot breaks down the money here.
5. Why did Jacksonville trade Campbell after giving him a four-year, $76 million deal ($53 million guaranteed) in July 2024? Browns fans should understand this: The previous front office drafted Campbell and gave him the lucrative extension.
6. New GM James Gladstone took over in 2025 and has been turning over the roster. Gladstone and Berry also made the huge draft day deal: The Browns sent the No. 2 pick to Jacksonville for No. 5, along with second and fourth round picks. From that deal, the Browns have added Mason Graham, Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson. The big part comes in 2026 – Jacksonville’s first round pick. The Jags took Travis Hunter with the Browns’ 2025 selection.
7. Newsome is heading into free agency. He is a starting cornerback, and they sign contracts in the $15 million to $20 million annual range. The Browns believe Campbell “fits in” well with their defense. Stefanki and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz both used those words. They really do like Campbell as a player.
8. Scheme also is a factor. Jacksonville switched defenses with more zone coverage. Campbell is better in man-to-man, which is what the Browns use.

The bottom line

1. The Browns are in a rebuild. Their record is 1-4 heading into Sunday’s game at Pittsburgh. But this is not a 1-15 followed by a 0-16 rebuild as was the case in 2016 and 2017. Otherwise, they would have just traded Newsome for a draft choice and not taken a player in return – especially someone such as Campbell, who is on a long-term deal.
2. During the summer, Haslam was asked about the need to see the two rookie QBs in action: “Absolutely, absolutely, and Kevin is aware of that, knows how important quarterback is. He and Andrew talk about those things all the time.”
3. Stefanski admitted he didn’t expect Flacco to be traded this season. The coach knows how hard it is to deal with a rebuild possibly led by two rookie QBs. But the Browns’ big picture is they want clarity on the QB situation before heading into the 2026 draft. That means Gabriel and Sanders have to play.
4. Meanwhile, the Browns’ current rookie class is impressive. Judkins looks like a big-time running back. Linebacker Carson Schwesinger has been terrific. Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. also has been impressive. Mason Graham has started and has had both good and so-so moments.
5. I hear more trades are coming before the Nov. 4 deadline.

Hear me talk: I will be speaking at the Music Box in the Flats. along with Regina Brett on October 22. This is a faith-based talk. Doors open at 5 p.m. Talk begins at 7 p.m. More information is here.