For most of his six-year NFL career, the idea of Greg Newsome II has been better than the actual player. A former first-round pick with all the physical tools in the world, Newsome spent his first five seasons bouncing between flashes of brilliance and stretches that made you wonder if he was better off trying his luck in Canada.
Well, eight weeks into his New York Giants career, it might officially be time to put that narrative to bed.
According to Jordan Schultz, the Giants have agreed to a three-year, $46 million extension with Newsome, including $32 million guaranteed. The 26-year-old signed a one-year, $8 million prove-it deal back in March, and apparently, Big Blue has seen more than enough.
Not a bad return on investment for a guy who was lucky to get a shot at getting his career back on track.
Giants reward Greg Newsome II with $46 million extension ahead of trade deadline
Newsome has been one of the more pleasant surprises on Dennard Wilson’s defense this season, helping out a unit that was widely looked at as the team’s weakest.
Through six appearances (he missed Week 7 with a concussion), the former Northwestern standout has recorded an interception and six passes defensed while allowing a 61.4 passer rating when targeted. His 66.1 Pro Football Focus coverage grade ranks 37th among 102 qualified cornerbacks, which isn’t exactly Revis Island territory, but it’s a pretty good mark for someone who came to New York with more question marks than the Riddler.
He hasn't necessarily been elite, but Newsome has done what New York brought him here to do, and he’s earned himself a nice payday because of it.
The timing should pique your interest, too.
With the Nov. 10 trade deadline just one week away, New York is reportedly looking to add defensive line help and potentially another running back to fully embrace a playoff push. Big Blue entered Tuesday with roughly $6.5 million in available cap space, and depending on how Schoen structures the extension, Newsome's deal could give the GM a little more wiggle room to work with.
It's certainly an interesting thought, and one I'd hope for, but it's far from a guarantee. Until the financial details come out (where's Adam Schefter when you need him?), it's anyone's guess whether this actually frees up any money for a potential trade or not.
Either way, Schoen has checked off one of his bigger offseason questions months before the offseason even arrives. And with Deonte Banks enjoying a bounce-back season of his own, I’d love to see the Giants start thinking about locking him down next.
Newsome and Banks holding down the outside for the foreseeable future? Not exactly something I thought I'd ever want, but... sign me up!
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