Possible Vikings Trade Target Wiped Off the Board
Since the beginning of the 2025 offseason, Minnesota Vikings fans speculated the team might acquire more cornerback juice, and Greg Newsome II often topped the list via trade targets.
The Minnesota Vikings might have been the market for a cornerback via trade, and thanks to the Jaguars, one popular target is no longer on the table.
But the Jacksonville Jaguars evidently beat the Vikings to the punch, finagling a deal with the Cleveland Browns for Newsome II this week.
Greg Newsome II No Longer a Trade Option for Vikings
The Jaguars pulled off a CB-for-CB exchange with the Browns.
CB Greg Newsome II Trade to Jaguars
It’s a done deal for Newsome II to Jacksonville.
NFL.com’s Grant Gordon announced Wednesday, “A day after grabbing headlines when they sent quarterback Joe Flacco to their archrival, the Cleveland Browns were back to trading with a familiar partner. The Jacksonville Jaguars traded cornerback Tyson Campbell and a 2026 seventh-round pick to the Browns in exchange for corner Greg Newsome II and a 2026 sixth-round choice, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported late Wednesday night.”
“Cleveland and Jacksonville announced the trade on Thursday morning. The swap comes roughly half a year after the Browns traded the 2025 NFL Draft’s No. 2 pick to the Jaguars, who promptly selected another cornerback — and wide receiver — Travis Hunter.”
A somewhat rare position-for-position exchange.
Newsome II in Vikings’ Rumor Mill for about 6-12 Months
Minnesota ultimately conducted three notable measures at cornerback during the offseason:
- It extended Byron Murphy Jr.’s contract, a 2024 Pro Bowler.
- General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah signed free-agent corner Isaiah Rodgers, who has been a revelation in Brian Flores’ defense.
- The Vikings also added Jeff Okudah as the CB3.
Some felt that wasn’t enough, and outlets like SI.com and Bleacher Report often mentioned Newsome II as a purple trade target.
In fact, if one had to label Minnesota’s top would-be cornerback trade target over the last year, at least according to NFL punditry, that’s Newsome II.
Still a Free Agency Path to Newsome II?
Newsome II is scheduled to hit free agency in five months. It’s a central reason he was traded this week. The Browns don’t have much coin because of the atrocious Deshaun Watson contract, and all signs pointed to Newsome II walking next offseason.
Unless the Jaguars extend Newsome II’s contract, the 25-year-old will be there for the taking in March when the NFL’s free agency period opens.
Newsome II has been a part of the Vikings’ rumor mill due to his connection to Adofo-Mensah: the executive worked in the Browns’ front office when Cleveland drafted him. He should know Newsome II quite well.
Other CB Trade Options
What if Minnesota still wants a cornerback via trade in the next few weeks before the league’s deadline? There are non-Newsome II options. These players could be gettable via trade:
- Alontae Taylor (New Orleans Saints)
- Joshua Williams (Kansas City Chiefs)
- Tariq Woolen (Seattle Seahawks)
Also note: it is unclear if Minnesota wants more cornerback firepower at all. It could be completely content with its existing group.
More on the Campbell-Newsome II Swap
SI.com‘s John Shipley opined on the deal from a Jaguars-themed standpoint, “There is genuine reason to believe that Greg Newsome II has untapped upside that could be realized in the Jaguars’ scheme, and the Jaguars’ depth of Montaric Brown, Jarrian Jones and Travis Hunter gives them the room to make that deal.”
“The Jaguars also have a significantly smaller long-term financial commitment to him that they would have had with Campbell. If he plays well, they have time to work on an extension. If they do not want to keep him beyond 2025, he could be a potential avenue to a compensatory pick. Plus, the trade netted them a move up the draft board of likely around 50+ picks. That is not insignificant.”
The Vikings faced and defeated Newsome II + the Browns four days ago.
Shipley added, “Overall, it is hard not to like this deal for the Jaguars. There is the tough pill to swallow of the $19.5 million in dead cap the team has to eat next year. That won’t look great on the books in 2026, but the Jaguars do get more long-term roster and financial flexibility at cornerback beyond that season now as opposed to being stuck with a contract that this regime didn’t arrange.”
“In Newsome, the Jaguars get a chance for short-term improvement due to his fit in the coverage scheme and his untapped upside. They also traded up likely around 50+ picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, while giving themselves another talented player who they can take their time on to determine if he is a long-term piece.”
If you wanted Newsome II in purple and gold, it’s time to focus your dream on March in free agency.
You must be logged in to post a comment.