Report: Browns decision on Greg Newsome’s 5th year option official

The team has not made an announcement but multiple reports say they’ve picked up the option

The NFL draft is in the rearview mirror and the Cleveland Browns have reportedly signed their undrafted free agent class. Add on top of that a player from the International Player Pathway Program and the Browns roster is pretty much set heading into offseason programming.

One player whose future with Cleveland was uncertain this offseason was CB Greg Newsome II. Newsome’s name was bandied about at the NFL combine among rumors which continued all the way up to the NFL draft. Throughout, GM Andrew Berry made it clear he doesn’t plan on giving away good players and reports were that the team would pick up Newsome’s fifth-year option this summer.

Newsome addressed the trade rumors a couple of weeks ago.

Now, just days after the completion of the draft multiple reports have come out that the Browns did indeed pick that option up:

Multiple local media have since confirmed Schefter’s report.

The cost of Newsome’s fifth-year option was locked in with the 2024 NFL salary cap announcement. He will be paid over $13 million in 2025 under the option.

In 41 games in three seasons, Newsome has 128 tackles, 29 passes defended, four tackles for loss, two QB hits, two INTs and one defensive touchdown.

It will be interesting if Berry looks to extend Newsome or Martin Emerson Jr. as both are set to hit the free-agent market after the 2025 season.

We will keep you updated when the team makes the Newsome news official.