Browns Rookie Greg Newsome II Drops Agent

Newsome did not make any announcement about the matter, nor did CAA.

The NFL Players Association requires a 5-day waiting period before Newsome can hire a new agent.

Newsome is free to sign a contract without an agent in the meantime.

Cleveland’s first-round draft pick attended OTAs and is expected in minicamp next week.

The deadline to sign a contract is before training camp in late July.

Rookie contracts are largely a pre-stamped agreement, with little room for negotiation.

There is no indication Newsome is unhappy with the team or is thinking of holding out.

Any theories as to why he cut ties with CAA is speculation at this point.

Could There Be a Problem in Negotiations?

Newsome is expected to decide on a new agent or to represent himself quickly.

There has been no indication of tension or problems between the player and team.

It is possible Newsome simply wants to represent himself.

Or that he wanted his agent to finalize the deal before now.

And negotiations under the recent collective bargaining agreement leave little room for controversy.

Structuring the signing bonus and any offsets Cleveland desires could be sticking points.

Offsets help teams recoup losses if a player with a guaranteed contract signs with another team after release.

Newsome is very interested in social causes and could be wary of limits in his activism.

But that seems unlikely given the Browns’ history of support and their own actions in that regard.

Newsome could give more importance to an agent’s ability to promote his activities outside football.

How Could This Impact The Browns? 

Newsome has been participating in all aspects of the preseason to date.

He is expected to complete the OTAs and minicamp this month with his teammates.

There is no reason to expect he will not be under contract before the training camp on July 27.

Even if there is a contract issue, players and coaches generally support each other in those matters.

Therefore, it seems highly unlikely Newsome’s agent decision will have any impact on the 2021 Browns.

Changing agents might not be common at this point in a player’s career.

But it is not usually a big deal whenever it happens.

Newsome can sign another agent, or re-sign with CAA, before next weekend.

Whether he does or not will matter little as he helps the Browns rebuilt defense this season.