​NFL analyst Ben Solak suggested that Tyson Campbell is poised for a breakout season with the Browns in 2026. The Cleveland Browns have fully embraced their rebuilding phase this offseason. The clearest sign was a blockbuster trade that sent Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams, a move that signals the front office’s continued emphasis on acquiring young talent and weaving in draft capital. Despite the upheaval, there’s a sense that Cleveland could surprise in 2026.
The questions surrounding Cleveland’s offense remain substantial, especially at quarterback, but their defense was among the league’s best last season. Garrett’s remarkable production undeniably helped, yet the unit’s upside remains high. In that context, Solak of ESPN recently speculated that Tyson Campbell could become a breakout player now that Garrett is no longer terrorizing opposing passers.
Cleveland already features a star cornerback in Denzel Ward, but Campbell may have found his real fit as a complementary piece last year. The Browns moved on from Greg Newsome early in the season, trading him to the Jacksonville Jaguars in a deal that brought Campbell, the 2021 NFL Draft’s first pick in the second round, to Cleveland. Campbell appeared destined for stardom with the Jaguars, signing a four-year, $76 million extension before the 2024 campaign. However, injuries plagued him that year, and Jacksonville pivoted to younger options at the position. Cleveland saw potential in Campbell and acquired him, and he finished the season strongly after entering the lineup.
Overall, Campbell produced what was one of the more well-rounded seasons of his career in 2025. He racked up 87 tackles, forced two fumbles, and added one interception that he returned for a touchdown, along with 18 passes defended. With a full offseason to learn and internalize the Browns’ defensive scheme, expectations are understandably high for Campbell. Solak believes he and Ward can develop into one of the NFL’s premier cornerback duos.
Solak noted that Campbell looked more comfortable in Cleveland, where he played closer to the line of scrimmage and navigated a simpler coverage menu. He can still be exposed on vertical routes when isolated, but as Ward’s teammate, he has a high ceiling based on what we’ve seen from him previously. For Cleveland’s defense to maintain elite status without Myles Garrett, that cornerback pairing will be crucial.
Campbell’s fit in Cleveland appears to be more seamless than many anticipated. His 12-game stint with the Browns showed enough of his skill set to suggest a higher ceiling with a full offseason under new defensive leadership. If Campbell can translate his improved approach and stay healthy, he could become one of the league’s most impactful players at the corner position in 2026, especially given the Browns’ need for a reliable No. 2 opposite Ward. The expectation is that Campbell and Ward could form one of the NFL’s most formidable cornerback tandems, helping Cleveland keep pace with the league’s top defenses even as the organization continues to reshape its roster in pursuit of a sustained winning window.