Greg Newsome II has only been with the New York Giants for a few months, but he already talks like a guy who belongs in the middle of a big NFC East fight.
The veteran cornerback spent Wednesday answering questions after practice about the assignment waiting for him in Week 1. Dallas comes to MetLife Stadium on Sept. 13 for Sunday Night Football, and the Cowboys will roll out CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens.
Those two put up more than 2,500 receiving yards together last season. Newsome did not pretend they are anything less than elite.
“Definitely great players, but I like our chances,” he said.
That was his straightforward take. No extra flourish. Just the kind of line a cornerback uses when he wants you to know he is not intimidated.
Newsome signed a one-year, $8 million deal with New York in March after bouncing from Cleveland to Jacksonville last season. He showed up in camp and earned the surprise starting job on the outside.
The Giants have stacked the position. Deonte Banks is pushing to recapture his early-career form. Paulson Adebo arrived as a high-priced free agent. Dru Phillips looks locked into the slot. Rookie Colton Hood is waiting for his chance.
Newsome has said the group has the depth to play at a high level from the jump. Week 1 against Dallas is the first real test of that claim.
He and Pickens have crossed paths before. When Newsome was still with the Browns and Pickens played in Pittsburgh, they mixed it up after a Hail Mary in late 2024. There were some choice words afterward. Newsome later called the extra stuff unnecessary.
This time he sounded more focused on the football than the old grudge. He said every receiver he faces comes with unfinished business because the job is always the same: keep them from beating you.
He gave Pickens credit for winning at the catch point and making the tough grabs. He pointed out that Lamb can line up anywhere and still produce.
The Cowboys will have Dak Prescott throwing to both of them. That combination gave defenses headaches all last year. Newsome called facing that kind of talent a cornerback’s dream if you actually want to be considered among the best.
The Giants open at home under new coach John Harbaugh. The organization has talked about changing the culture and playing with more physicality. A strong showing from the secondary against two proven receivers would help that message land.
Newsome is 26 and in his sixth NFL season. He has four career interceptions and a reputation for tackling well once the ball is caught. Those traits should matter against a Cowboys offense that likes to stretch the field and then work the short and intermediate areas.
Whether Newsome and the rest of the Giants corners can limit the damage will be one of the first storylines of the new season. He already said he likes their chances. Now the tape has to back it up.
The game kicks off at 8:20 p.m. Eastern on Sept. 13.
