CLEVELAND, Ohio. Browns cornerback Greg Newsome was as surprised as anyone else when Deshawn Watson changed the pitch and chose the Browns over the Saints, Panthers and Falcons on Friday.
“Yes, of course,” Newsom said Wednesday night at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards on Wednesday night at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. “It definitely came as a surprise once you saw that he turned us down at first. We kind of thought it was over, so it was definitely a surprise.”
Watson, 26, is expected to arrive in Cleveland later this week for an opening press conference, possibly Friday, after the Browns traded six picks to the Texans for him, including three in the first round.
“Yes, very happy to meet him,” said Newsom, who attended the awards ceremony along with fellow second-year pro Jeremy Owusu-Koramoa, who presented Miles Garrett as Athlete of the Year. “I don’t know him very well. I just feel like we don’t have any connection to anything, but I’m definitely very excited to meet him.”
After a great rookie season, Newsom admitted he admires the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback from afar.
“Yeah, I mean I love his game,” Newsom said. “He’s a great quarterback, so I’m definitely looking forward to meeting him.”
Newsom declined to comment on the legal issues Watson is bringing to Cleveland, specifically the 22 civil lawsuits from masseurs who accuse him of either sexual assault or sexual harassment. Watson was in Houston and testified on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“I mean, this is not a comment that I should be making at all,” Newsom said. “I don’t know anything about it, so I’ll just stay away from it.”
He expects the 26-year-old Watson to display the lead he was known for during his four seasons in Houston, where he led the Texans to back-to-back playoffs in 2018 and 2019.
“Oh, a lot,” he said. “That’s what I’m trying to do too, be a leader, so we just have to feel it. We don’t know him right now, so we have to get to know him better.”
He said the team wasn’t necessarily thrilled about the Watson trade, which instantly makes them Super Bowl contenders.
“Not really,” he said. “Because at the end of the day we still have to work. Obviously bringing in a great quarterback is a lot, but we have other things we need to fix as a team, so we’re kind of just working on our skills to be better players. next season.”
Newsom said he did not contact Baker Mayfield, who asked for a trade and could be traded soon.
“No, I didn’t talk to him,” he said.
He declined to say if he was surprised by how things turned out with Mayfield.
“Honestly, I was just focused on myself, on getting better,” he said. “I didn’t think about anyone else. I just want to be the best next season and I had no idea about that.”
He would also welcome the return of five-time professional bowler Jarvis Landry with open arms. Landry, who was released last week, could be back, especially with Watson on board.
“I mean he is a great leader,” Newsom said. “He has been the heart and soul of the team for the last few years he has been here so it would be great to be reunited with him. Obviously I don’t work in the front office and can’t make those kinds of decisions, but it would be great if he could come back.”
He did not directly lobby for its return.
“No, I didn’t talk to him at all,” he said.
In the meantime, he can’t wait to work with new four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Amari Cooper.
“No, I don’t know him at all, but he’s definitely a great receiver, so I’ll be looking forward to this match,” he said. “A guy like that, I mean the fight with Odell[Beckham Jr.]and Jarvis, was the same last year, so having another guy like that will definitely help me move into year two.”
As the Browns continue to add players and prepare for the NFL Draft, Newsom is hard at work at the Exos practice facility in Arizona.
“I mean, it’s just to make that jump,” he said. “Obviously there’s always a period from rookie to year two, you either fall or you rise, so that’s my main goal to make sure I stay consistent and get better.”
His goal is to add a few interceptions and streaks to his resume.
“I mean just take the ball away,” he said. “I know that I can do it. I think after that next season I will definitely make another jump.”
–
Get the latest Browns items: Here you can order Cleveland Browns gear online, including jerseys, t-shirts, sweatshirts, caps and more.
More coverage of the Browns
Browns’ top priority after Deshawn Watson deal; Will the young Cavs be able to handle the bright light? Terry Talk (podcast)
Baker Mayfield on Trade Block: Garrett Bush, Tim Belick on Sports 4 CLE Wednesday
How Deshawn Watson’s contract creates problems with the Browns’ 2023 salary cap
The Browns are not looking for a first round player for Mayfield; his trade request didn’t result in a deal with Watson: Browns Insider
What should the Browns be doing this offseason? orange and brown conversation
Odell Beckham Jr hasn’t slammed the door on a return to the Browns, but that’s unlikely at the moment: Browns Insider
Browns next steps: 3 more things they need to do this offseason
National Sexual Assault Advocacy Group Criticizes Deshawn Watson Deal With Browns, Haslams Response
How should the Browns view Jacoby Brisset’s past starting experience?
Where Deshaun Watson ranks among the 25 most expensive contracts in the NFL
George Pickens replaces Garrett Wilson as the WR the Browns should hope to have on draft day: Doug Lesmeris Browns, draft draft 4