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Jacksonville Jaguars locker room reacts to Tyson Campbell trade, 'I feel like I failed him'
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- Jacksonville Jaguars locker room reacts to Tyson Campbell trade, 'I feel like I failed him'
The Jacksonville Jaguars completed a trade with the Cleveland Browns to swap cornerback Tyson Campbell and a 2026 seventh round pick for Greg Newsome and a 2026 sixth round pick.
Campbell was on a large contract and didn't fully mesh with the vison Jacksonville's leadership had for the future of the franchise. They like Newsome's versatility and think he'll fit into defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile's system well.
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"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," general manager James Gladstone said in a press release .
RYAN O'HALLORAN: Trading for Greg Newsome is James Gladstone's way of telling Jaguars he's in it to win it
Campbell's trade came as a shock , but not a surprise. The leadership contingent of executive vice president Tony Boselli, head coach Liam Coen and Gladstone have been quick to move on from players who don't align with the vision they have.
Still, this is the first starter the team has moved on from and came as a shock to several players.
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"It hurts, it definitely hurts man," cornerback Jourdan Lewis said. "I feel like as a leader and a guy that I wanted to help, I feel like I failed him."
Jaguars ' players react to Tyson Campbell's trade, mixed emotions from teammates
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell (3), Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown (30) and Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jourdan Lewis (2) runs through a drill during the Jacksonville Jaguars’ third mandatory minicamp Thursday June 12, 2025 at the Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
When Tyson Campbell signed his extension with the Jaguars, he was seen as a cornerstone piece of Jacksonville's future. But after a year and some change he's no longer with the franchise .
Obviously, the regime changes and altered identity shifts perspective. But Campbell was one of the last remnants of the 2021 draft class along with Trevor Lawrence , Travis Etienne and Walker Little .
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He was the top cornerback of the Jaguars and his departure does raise questions about the future of the position. Captain Josh Hines-Allen likened it to as if a he sustained an injury and another player was called into action, but also wished him well as he departs the team.
Jacksonville Jaguars corner back Tyson Campbell (3) warms up on the field while leaning on corner back Jourdan Lewis (2) during an NFL training camp session ten at the Miller Electric Center, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
"It's always been the next man up mentality. It's just like if he would have got hurt.," Hines-Allen said. "Fortunately, he got traded to a situation where I think it's going to benefit him and we got a player that's going to benefit us, too."
The Jaguars regime is used to making splashes, trading up to No. 2 overall in the NFL Draft to select Travis Hunter . Hunter has played on both sides of the football and had his most well-rounded game against the Chiefs .
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However, the move wasn't a reflection of Hunter's progression and more on raising the team's talent level by bringing in a player who fits the system better. Still, Hunter is experiencing the reality of the NFL first-hand.
"He was a brother here. I could talk to him, ask him whatever I needed to, but it's all in God's plan for him," Hunter said of the trade. "It's in God's work for him. I hope he gets to the mindset of it's just another step."
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) readies himself to run as cornerback Tyson Campbell (3) looks on during an NFL training camp session at the Miller Electric Center, Friday, July 25, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
The player who'll likely see the biggest impact post-trade is Montaric Brown , who has worked his way back from a lower body injury he suffered on the first day of training camp.
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Brown had a big-time pass break-up during the win versus the Kansas City Chiefs and has proved he can thrive in Campanile's system after having a standout spring.
"It's sad to see that happen," Brown said. Campbell was his veteran when he was a rookie player and he spent several years under his tutelage. "At the end of the day, it's a business and you just got to move on. I'm focused on doing my job right now."
Jaguars aren't satisfied with 4-1 start, hope to improve defensively against Seattle Seahawks
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell (3) and cornerback Montaric Brown (30) pray before an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars edged the Kansas City Chiefs 31-28. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Head coach Liam Coen alluded to the fact that the team isn't satisfied with their performance despite being 4-1.
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Those feelings were echoed in the locker room as players try to put the trade behind them and prepare for a game against the Seattle Seahawks this weekend.
"You can feel the pressure that we want to get this, and we want to get it right now," Lewis said. "It doesn't matter if we win or lose if the process isn't right. We're going to fix it."
The Jaguars allowed a season-high 476 yards to the Chiefs on Monday Night Football. Kansas City was able to move the ball almost at will, going 4-of-5 on redzone trips as the Jaguars struggled to contain them.
It was a step down from the hot start the defense got off to this year, jumping out to double-digit takeaways through three games.
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"We know that win versus the Chiefs don't mean nothing, we're just moving on," Brown said. "We've got bigger goals to achieve. It's just the next game mentality."
The next game is against a revamped offense in the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks rank top five in points per game at 29.2. They average 113 rushing yards per game (No. 19) and 245.4 passing yards per game (No. 5) this season.
Sam Darnold is coming off a four-touchdown game where he completed 28-of-34 passes for 341 yards and one interception. Jaxson Smith-Njigba is establishing himself as one of the best pass catchers in the league, recording eight catches on nine targets for 132 yards and a touchdown.
They have to contend for that while dealing with the emotions of no longer having Campbell on the roster. It's a balancing act, but the team seems to be handling it well.
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"Our thing is, we have to trust the process and trust the outcome that's going to happen for it," Hines-Allen said.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars players react to Tyson Cambell-Greg Newsome trade
