While CB Greg Newsome II was out of training camp last season after surgery to repair a torn hamstring, CB Martin Emerson Jr. texted him every day to make sure he felt like a part of the team.
Newsome is now planning to do the same thing following Emerson tearing his Achilles on July 29. Emerson will miss the 2025 season according to head coach Kevin Stefanski.
"It's bigger than football with me and him. We're brothers," Newsome said. "We talk almost every week during the offseason. We're always Face Timing – not even about football, just about life – so he knows how we are. I'll be calling him every single week. He'll be back here, and I'll definitely keep his spirits up."
As the cornerback room adjusts, Newsome could potentially move to Emerson's spot on the outside of the field opposite CB Denzel Ward rather than playing in the slot, garnering more snaps and more responsibility. Regardless of how his role changes, Newsome plans to play with the same level of energy he has over the last four seasons.
"You can just expect me to be a leader. Being out there with the guys, bringing the energy, getting better each and every day, and holding my end of the bargain," Newsome said.
"Denzel Ward is the best cornerback in the league, and whoever is going to be opposite him has to hold their own. So, I'll be doing a great job at that this season."
Newsome has prepared for an increased workload through the work he has done in the offseason.
After injuring the same leg and missing the last four games of the 2024 season that he had surgery on in the previous offseason, he wanted to strengthen his legs. He went back to his high school days of running track and did exercises from that time in his life, making sure another season couldn't be derailed by injuries.
Although Newsome knows injuries are a part of football, the track work he did in the offseason, and every day since then, is keeping his body healthy ahead of the season. He has taken advantage of the fact, competing each day of training camp and getting reps against his teammates.
"Greg in particular, (it's) good to have him out there because I think he's another vocal guy, a guy that brings juice to the defense," Stefanski said.
Newsome hasn't recorded an interception during camp yet, but he has forced incompletions, something he's excelled in in the past. He recorded 14 deflections in the 2023 season, ninth in the NFL, but recorded only five last season.
"I have to go back to being that player that I know I can be," Newsome said. "The good thing is I'm starting this training camp healthy, so I'm able to get out there and get the reps in before the season starts, and that's my main goal."
Check out the top shots from Day 7 of 2025 Browns Training Camp as players got to work with drills, workouts and team prep at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Chigozie Anusiem (35) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Safety Damontae Kazee (23) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Bill Willis Diversity Fellow Michael Bearden during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Defensive Quality Control Coach Jeff Anderson during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Safety Christopher Edmonds (41) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Safeties Coach Ephraim Banda during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Safety Nik Needham (25) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (28) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Safety Donovan McMillon (31) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Cornerback Chigozie Anusiem (35) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
A fan during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Bernie Kosar during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka (61) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
The team during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Offensive guard Zak Zinter (70) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Cornerback LaMareon James (27) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Defensive tackle Jowon Briggs (97) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Center Bucky Williams (62) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) and Bernie Kosar during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) and Offensive Line Coach Mike Bloomgren during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Defensive end Julian Okwara (53) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Running Backs Coach Duce Staley during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Safety Damontae Kazee (23) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas (71) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (90) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Pass Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach Chad O'Shea during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Wide receiver Kaden Davis (89) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (28) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) and Running back Jerome Ford (34) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Wide receiver Diontae Johnson (16) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Wide receiver Diontae Johnson (16) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Center Bucky Williams (62) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Defensive end Julian Okwara (53) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Safety Nik Needham (25) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Safety Damontae Kazee (23) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Wide receiver Luke Floriea (37) during Day 7 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2025.
Along with getting himself ready to bounce back, he is focused on taking on a larger leadership role for the younger corners in the room. Cornerbacks coach Brandon Lynch said Newsome is someone that younger players in the room go to for communication and whom they trust.
With Emerson out, one of those young guys he is helping to mentor is going to step into the spot currently left open, and Newsome is confident in whoever gets the job.
"I think it's really just a chance once again for all of us to have a bigger role," Newsome said. "We have younger guys like Cameron Mitchell and Myles Harden. We have (Chigozie Anusiem). We have a lot of guys who are now going to have an opportunity to step up their role. So, I'm really focused on those guys, getting those guys ready."
Lynch also sees Newsome as a player whose presence is felt on the field. With Newsome dedicated to improving himself, alongside Ward who led the league in deflections in 2024, the Browns have a lethal one-two duo in the secondary.
"I see Greg really attacking the day," Lynch said. "He's always been like a very assertive learner, a very assertive young man, but you really see him attacking the moment, attacking the day. He's one of our team leaders."
Ahead of an important year for Newsome with his rookie contract expiring after this season, he said he just wants to keep stacking days, earning the chance to be a Brown.
"I've said it since the day I was drafted. I want to be a Brown for life, and in order to do that, I have to hold my end of the bargain," Newsome said.
