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What are Jacksonville Jaguars getting in Greg Newsome? 'His skillset is a strong fit'
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- What are Jacksonville Jaguars getting in Greg Newsome? 'His skillset is a strong fit'
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile is amped up about the team acquiring former Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II via a late-night trade Wednesday.
Newsome was traded to Jacksonville in exchange for CB Tyson Campbell and a 2026 sixth-round pick that Cleveland acquired from the New York Jets . The Jaguars sent Cleveland a 2026 seventh-round pick (Eagles) as a pick swap. Trade talks between the two clubs began and ended in one day, with the sides agreeing to terms around 10 p.m.
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The move not only gives Jacksonville long-term flexibility with its salary cap, but also gives them a player they feel fits Campanile's system and how the team plays .
"He's done a good job and over the years, watching him, I think he's got really good man-to-man skills. I think he's done a good job in zone, competitive at the point of attack. So, really excited about it. I think he'll add a bunch to us," Campanile said Thursday, just hours after the trade was finalized between the two clubs.
RYAN O'HALLORAN: Trading Tyson Campbell shows Jaguars aren't content to be feel-good NFL story
Newsome, 25, was drafted in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Northwestern, just seven slots ahead of Campbell, who was drafted at pick No. 33, the top of the second round of that year's draft out of Georgia.
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The trade further illustrates Jacksonville's affinity to search far and wide for ways to upgrade the team's roster . Jacksonville has made several trades this year, including two blockbuster deals with the Cleveland Browns .
The first was also for a cornerback, as the team traded up three spots in the 2025 NFL Draft to select cornerback/receiver Travis Hunter . Now, the team adds Newsome to a nearly completely remade Jacksonville secondary.
"We are trying to win football games now and Greg helps us do that, as his skillset is a strong fit for our defensive scheme, which puts more vision on the quarterback and will lean on Greg's ability to find the football," Jaguars general manager James Gladstone said via a statement released by the team.
"We will continue to be aggressive, to make us the best possible team this season."
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Jacksonville thinks similarly about Hunter moving forward . Acquiring Newsome won't affect what they do with him.
"We're a better team when Travis [Hunter] is on the field. Whether we traded Tyson [Campbell] or not, we are always going to find ways to get Travis in the best situation to help us win because we're better on offense and defense when he's out there," Gladstone said to the Times-Union.
Newsome will likely hit the practice field for the first time with Jacksonville on Friday and could play in Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks , though that has yet to be determined.
Greg Newsome II adds more versatility, ball skills to Jaguars secondary
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 17: Greg Newsome II #0 of the Cleveland Browns looks on during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome on November 17, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
In addition to acquiring Hunter and Newsome this year, the Jaguars brought in veteran corner Jourdan Lewis to man the team's nickel position . Lewis has the versatility to play inside or out in the team's scheme and has been one of the team's boundary corners in base (two corners).
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While Hunter will stick to outside duties this year, his versatility comes in a multitude of ways, including his ability to play on the offensive side of the ball.
In Newsome, the team gets a player who gives them that much more flexibility.
"We always value that here, you know, guys that are versatile. He can definitely do that," Campanile said of Newsome's ability to play both sinside and out and the versatility he can bring to a defense.
"Like I said, just watching him in zone, watching him in man, he's just competitive and has played well against some of the best players in this league," the first-year defensive coordinator added.
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In Week 5 this year, Newsome lined up against Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson on at least 12 plays, allowing just two completions for 33 yards on three targets.
Perhaps more impressive, in Week 1 this year, Newsome faced off against Cincinnati Bengals corner Ja'Marr Chaseon nine plays. He was targeted twice, allowing zero completions. And that was before Joe Burrow got injured.
Jacksonville's penchant for getting after the football is further entrenched by Newsome.
This year, the Jaguas lead the league with the most pass breakups at 38. The next-highest team is the Arizona Cardinals with 33 passes defensed this year, according to Statmuse.
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Newsome has 37 pass breakups to date, ranking tied for eighth among all cornerbacks in pass breakups with 14 in 2023. He recorded 14 pass breakups in his first two seasons (2021-2022).
Newsome has been around the ball throughout his career. In college, he was among the best in the Big Ten for pass breakups, finishing second in the conference in 2019 with 11. Newsome totaled 25 pass breakups over 21 games for Northwestern (2018-20).
Jacksonville's secondary has been a smart, communicative and savvy one this year. Campanile sees Newsome adding to that.
"When you watch him play man to man, I think he's really, really sticky in coverage, competes at the catch point. And then, in zone coverage, you know, he's a savvy player," said Campanile. "So, I think obviously, what we look at and we're excited about, he's got really good ball skills, ability to break anddrive on the ball and anytime you're getting a smart, aggressive player, we're fired up about it."
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Tyson Campbell had an up-and-down career with Jacksonville
Sep 14, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) catches the touchdown pass over Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell (3) during the fourth quarter at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
Sending Campbell away now only comes as a surprise because of the deal he inked last year.
After putting together a stellar 2022 campaign, which ultimately earned him his contract extension, Campbell dealt with numerous injuries that forced him to miss 11 games over the last two years combined.
In 2022, Campbell started all 17 games for the only time in his career. He posted three interceptions, 15 pass breakups and a forced fumble.
Since then, he's accounted for 17 pass breakups over 28 games, including six pass breakups through five games this season.
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Campbell's year thus far has also resulted in a few bone-breaking plays made by the opposing offense. In Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Campbell allowed a 42-yard touchdown by receiver Tee Higgins .
In Week 3 against the Houston Texans , Campbell allowed a 50-yard touchdown to Texans WR Nico Collins on a double move. The play tied the game before the Jaguars had a game-winning score.
Campbell's presence in the locker room will be missed; however, his fit with the team's defense was questionable at best through five games.
What are the Jaguars' salary cap ramifications from Campbell, Newsome trade?
Sep 14, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) catches a pass against Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell (3) in the second half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
Though the Jaguars did not make the deal due to the league's salary cap, they did alter their future projections by quite a bit.
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In dealing Campbell to the Browns, Jacksonville will take on around $19.5 million in dead cap space (money that is already allocated and unable to be used) in 2026, but save nearly $50 million in 2027-28.
Campbell was originally signed to a four-year, $76.5 million ($53.4 million guaranteed) contract extension by the previous regime led by former Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke. The deal included a $16 million signing bonus.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars will take on the remainder of Newsome's paragraph 5 salary this year, which is fully guaranteed after the Browns picked up his fifth-year option last year.
Newsome is due around $9,661,167, the amount of cap space the team will absorb, through the final 12 games of the season. His base salary this year was set at $13,377,000.
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Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82 or on Bluesky @ Demetrius .
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: How Jacksonville Jaguars plan to use Greg Newsome II after trade
