Dawgs By Nature
One thing that Cleveland Browns fans are well aware of is that you do not just acquire a player in a trade but you also acquire a contract. While QB Deshaun Watson’s deal is the first that comes to mind, the Browns actually gave him a new deal shortly following that trade. However, any deal in the NFL not only takes into account the talent of the player but also what the contract and salary cap details look like.
The CB Tyson Campbell trade for Cleveland has some unique details, including what the Jacksonville Jaguars will pay CB Greg Newsome II that the Browns do not have to.
Campbell: Signed a four-year, $76.5 million extension to his rookie contract in July of 2024
Newsome: Playing on the fifth-year option of his rookie deal, worth $13.377 million
Cleveland will owe nothing to their former cornerback the rest of this season
Jacksonville will pick up just under $9.7 million, the remainder of his fifth-year option
Cleveland will carry $3.7 million in dead cap space for Newsome this season and none beyond this year
The answer is a lot:
Jacksonville will carry $6.7 million in dead cap space for the Campbell trade this season and another $19.52 million dead cap space on the 2026 salary cap
With three more years, after the end of the 2025 NFL season, the total amount Cleveland could owe their new cornerback is $35.2 million. A key decision comes on March 23rd this offseason when a decision on an $11.5 million option is due.
2025: $1.4 million
2026: $4.9 million
2027: $4.8 million
2028: $18.8 million
2029: $4.6 million (in a void year)
Cleveland will have zero dead cap hit if they release Campbell after the 2026 season.
All contract details thanks to Over the Cap
Looking over the contract details, does this change your thoughts on the deal at all?
Share your thoughts in the comment section below
