Jaguars, Browns Finalize Cornerback Swap to Refresh Secondary
Jaguars and Browns Complete Cornerback Swap
The Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns finalized a trade sending cornerback Tyson Campbell to Cleveland in exchange for Greg Newsome II, along with swapping 2026 draft picks. This move, reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, aims to refresh both teams’ secondary units after underwhelming performances from the players in 2025.
Details and Team Reactions
Campbell, once a promising second-round pick with a lucrative extension, struggled significantly in recent seasons, prompting the Jaguars to relieve cap space by trading him. Newsome, while not excelling last year, offers potential value for Jacksonville. The Browns quickly integrated Campbell, expecting him to start soon, though teammates expressed emotional responses to Newsome’s departure.
Strategic Implications
This swap reflects both franchises’ attempts to reset their defensive backfields amid ongoing roster changes, including the Browns trading quarterback Joe Flacco earlier. By exchanging players and draft picks, the Jaguars and Browns hope fresh environments will help their cornerbacks regain form and contribute to future team success.
About the People Mentioned
Joe Flacco
Joseph Vincent Flacco, born January 16, 1985, in Audubon, New Jersey, is an American professional football quarterback currently playing for the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL. He played college football at the University of Delaware, where he set 20 school records, including passing yards and completions, and led the Blue Hens to the NCAA FCS title game in 2007[2][5]. Flacco was selected by the Baltimore Ravens with the 18th overall pick in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, he started all 16 games and became one of the few rookie quarterbacks in NFL history to start a playoff game. Known for his strong arm and calm demeanor, Flacco led the Ravens to the playoffs in each of his first four seasons, a league first. His most notable achievement came in Super Bowl XLVII, where he led Baltimore to a 34-31 victory over the San Francisco 49ers and earned the Super Bowl MVP award for his performance[1][5]. After a long tenure with the Ravens, Flacco was traded to the Denver Broncos and later joined the Cincinnati Bengals. As of the 2025 NFL season, he remains an active player with the Bengals, contributing as a veteran quarterback. He is recognized for his experience and leadership on the field, often stepping in as a reliable option for his team[3][4]. Flacco is 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighs approximately 245 pounds. Throughout his career, he has been valued for his playoff performances and ability to manage games effectively. His ongoing career with the Bengals highlights his continued relevance in the league at age 40[3][4].
About the Organizations Mentioned
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, competing in the South Division of the American Football Conference (AFC) within the National Football League (NFL). Established in 1995, the Jaguars are one of the league's more recent franchises, known for their distinctive black, teal, and gold colors[8]. The team plays its home games at EverBank Stadium, which has a capacity of 67,814 and features Bermuda Grass[6]. ## History and Achievements The Jaguars made a significant impact early on, becoming the fastest expansion team to reach the playoffs. They experienced notable success in their first five years, including a remarkable record in their inaugural season when they finished 4-4 against their AFC Central rivals[6]. The franchise has had its share of ups and downs, with a resurgence under coach Doug Marrone in 2017. Notable players include Hall of Famers Tony Boselli and Fred Taylor, who played pivotal roles in the team's early success[8]. ## Current Status Currently, the Jaguars are led by Head Coach Doug Pederson and are owned by Shahid Khan[2]. The team is performing well, with a current record of 4-2 and standing second in the AFC South[1][4]. The Jaguars have been actively involved in developing their roster, with recent draft picks aimed at strengthening their defense and special teams[4]. ## Notable Aspects The Jaguars are part of a $1.4 billion investment in a new, futuristic stadium set to open in 2028, ensuring the team's presence in Jacksonville for years to come[2]. The team's training facilities and staff have received mixed reviews, with high marks for their weight room equipment but lower ratings for the training staff and travel schedule[5]. Despite these challenges, the Jaguars remain a vibrant part of the NFL landscape, contributing to the rich football culture in Jacksonville.
Cleveland Browns
The **Cleveland Browns** are a professional American football team based in Cleveland, Ohio, competing in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) North division. Founded in 1944 by businessman Arthur B. "Mickey" McBride and coach Paul Brown, the Browns began play in 1946 in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC), where they dominated by winning all four league championships before the AAFC folded in 1949. The team then joined the NFL and maintained early dominance, reaching the NFL championship game every year from 1950 to 1955 and winning three titles during that period[2][3]. Named after their first coach Paul Brown, who is considered a pioneer of modern football, the Browns built a legacy of success with legendary players such as Jim Brown, widely regarded as one of the greatest running backs in NFL history. The franchise won a total of eight league titles (including AAFC and NFL championships) and 18 division trophies in its early decades, making it one of professional football’s dynasties[1][7]. Ownership shifted several times, notably to Art Modell in 1961, who controversially fired Paul Brown in 1963. The team won its last NFL championship in 1964 but struggled to reach the Super Bowl despite multiple AFC Championship game appearances in the 1980s under quarterback Bernie Kosar[2][3]. The Browns faced a major upheaval when Modell relocated the franchise to Baltimore in 1996, causing the team to be temporarily deactivated until it was reactivated as an expansion franchise in 1999[4]. Since their revival, the Browns have struggled with consistency and performance, often ranking among the NFL’s weaker teams. However, recent seasons have shown improvement, including a playoff win in 2020—their first since 1994. The team plays home games at FirstEnergy Stadium and is currently owned by Jimmy and Dee Hasla
ESPN
ESPN, originally the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, is a dominant American sports media corporation headquartered in Bristol, Connecticut. Founded in 1979 by Bill Rasmussen, Scott Rasmussen, and Ed Eagan, ESPN pioneered the concept of a 24-hour all-sports cable network, quickly establishing itself as the "Worldwide Leader in Sports." Today, ESPN is owned 80% by The Walt Disney Company and 20% by Hearst Communications, operating as ESPN Inc. The organization broadcasts from its main studios in Bristol, with additional offices and studios across the U.S., and reaches audiences globally through 64 linear networks and digital platforms in 141 countries. ESPN’s rise was fueled by securing broadcast rights to major professional and collegiate sports, making it a household name. At its peak in 2011, ESPN reached over 100 million U.S. pay TV households, though that number has since declined to about 70 million as viewership shifts toward digital platforms. ESPN’s portfolio now includes seven U.S. cable networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, ESPN Deportes, SEC Network, ACC Network), ESPN on ABC, ESPN Radio, and a robust digital presence via ESPN.com, the ESPN App, and ESPN Fantasy Sports. A key achievement in recent years is the launch of ESPN+, its direct-to-consumer streaming service introduced in 2018, which has expanded to include thousands of live events and original programming. In August 2025, ESPN launched a new flagship direct-to-consumer product, offering two subscription tiers—ESPN Unlimited and ESPN Select—providing access to all ESPN networks and exclusive content. This move reflects ESPN’s strategic pivot to adapt to changing media consumption habits, including partnerships with entities like WWE for premium live events. Despite facing challenges such as rising broadcast costs and criticism over coverage biases, ESPN remains a major force in sports media,