At least Browns fans will have one thing to cheer about for the next few seasons.
Their star cornerback isn’t going anywhere.
ESPN reported Tuesday that the Browns and Denzel Ward agreed to a two-year, $62.2 million extension, making him the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history for the second time.
The deal is set to include $52.3 million in guaranteed money.
Ward, a five-time Pro Bowler, had two years remaining on the five-year, $100 million rookie extension he signed in 2022, and his new contract will keep him in Cleveland through 2029.
The Rams’ Trent McDuffie was previously the highest-paid cornerback in the league, earning $31 million per season.
Outside of Ward and McDuffie, the Colts’ Sauce Gardner is the only other cornerback set to earn over $30 million a year, though Patriots owner Robert Kraft has reportedly promised to make Christian Gonzalez the highest-paid corner in league history.
After the Browns traded superstar pass rusher Myles Garrett to the Rams on June 1, there was speculation as to whether Ward would also be on the move.
Though Ward skipped voluntary OTAs and didn’t participate much in mandatory minicamp, Cleveland.com reporter Mary Kay Cabot said his absence wasn’t due to his contract status.
The No. 4 pick in the 2018 draft, Ward has blossomed into a defensive cornerstone during his eight years with the Browns.
The 29-year-old has 18 interceptions, 361 tackles, 104 pass deflections and four forced fumbles during his stint in Cleveland.
His 104 pass deflections are the most in the NFL since 2018.
Ward remains part of a Browns secondary featuring cornerback Tyson Campbell and safeties Grant Delpit and rookie Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.
In what’s expected to be another rebuilding season under first-year head coach Todd Monken, the Browns look to improve on their 5-12 finish in 2025.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: nypost.com
