Andrew Berry feels Greg Newsome II is ‘big part’ of Browns’ future

On Feb 28, 2023

Cleveland Browns general manager and executive vice president of football operations Andrew Berry speaks to the media, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, in Berea, Ohio.

INDIANAPOLIS — Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II made some waves over the last month with some social-media remarks regarding his role on the defense.

Specifically, Newsome was asked on Twitter if he was “open to playing slot (cornerback) next year or do you prefer to be on the outside?” The Browns’ 2021 first-round pick out of Northwestern responded with a emphatic “NO” to the question.

Two subsequent retweet by Newsome backed up his feelings. One including a NextGen Stats chart showing the lowest target rate among 2022 NFL cornerbacks in man coverage, the other was a reply from teammate Perrion Winfrey that included a gif that essentially said, “Hell no.”

Those posts have led some to speculate about Newsome’s long-term future with the Browns. Would they, sensing discontent out of him, view him as a possible trade chip to bolster holes elsewhere on the roster?

General manager Andrew Berry, when asked about Newsome on Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine, didn’t sound too concerned about the relationship between team and player. In fact, he reiterated where they believed the cornerback fit in the team’s future.

“We always have conversations with our guys, whether it’s at the end of the season or into the offseason, feel good about where Greg is. He’s going to be a pretty big part of what we’re doing moving forward. I think Greg, one of his value adds is the fact that he can play outside and inside, but we think he’s a good young player and I know Jim’s excited to work with him as well.”

Newsome played, according to Pro Football Focus, 374 snaps in the slot and 378 snap out wide. A.J. Green’s 75 snaps in the slot were the second-highest total on the team.

Andrew Berry mum on two big offensive line contract questions

Long-term deals have helped to lock up three of the Browns’ five starting offensive linemen. Guards Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller, as well as right tackle Jack Conklin, are all signed through at least 2025.

Two others from last year, though, remain in different stages of flux. Center Ethan Pocic signed a one-year deal last April and is a free agent, while left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. has a team decision looming in May on his fifth-year option for the 2024 season.

Berry dodged questions about both linemen’s future. For Pocic, all he would say was “we stay in contact with all of our impending free agents. That’ll be no different with him. We’ll talk with his reps at some point this week.”

The approach was the same, mostly, when the subject came up about Wills. However, Berry made a point to compliment his first draft pick as the Browns’ general manager in 2020.

“So first on Jed, typically, really I don’t talk about contract or option decisions in this setting,” Berry said. “Pleased with the progress that he’s made over the past year. (We) certainly envision him being here and being a solid starter for us at left tackle going into next year.”